In a significant step towards ensuring water security for Native American tribes and addressing the drought crisis in Arizona, Navajo President Buu Nygren signed legislation on Friday, outlining a proposed water rights settlement. The settlement aims to guarantee water supplies from the Colorado River and other sources for three tribes, while also offering relief to the parched Arizona region.

The legislation was signed a day after receiving unanimous approval from the tribal council, and also gained support from the San Juan Southern Paiute and Hopi tribes earlier this week. The next crucial step for the tribes is to seek approval from Congress, as officials work towards securing what could potentially become the most expensive water rights settlement in American history.

The Navajo Nation holds one of the largest outstanding claims in the Colorado River basin, with the water needs extending beyond the proposed $5 billion budget. Currently, almost a third of households within the Navajo Nation, covering an expansive territory of 27,000 square miles (70,000 square kilometers) across Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah, lack access to running water. The situation is similarly dire in many homes located on Hopi lands, while the San Juan Southern Paiute have long struggled without a reservation or water rights of their own.

Tribal leaders, in an interview with The Associated Press, emphasized that this proposed settlement is more than just securing water rights—it represents a new era of collaboration among Native American tribes as they assert their rights to natural resources and plan for the future amid the escalating impacts of climate change. The leaders also acknowledged that ongoing drought conditions and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic played a significant role in accelerating discussions for this settlement.

The importance of having clean and dependable sources of drinking water has become increasingly apparent during the pandemic. Navajo Council Speaker Crystalyne Curley highlighted the struggles of Navajo families who have had to travel long distances to collect water, often making do with just a few gallons per day.

While the proposal still requires approval from non-tribal parties, tribal officials and their legal representatives are optimistic that discussions in Congress will commence well before the upcoming November election. Over the past four decades, Congress has successfully enacted nearly three dozen tribal water rights settlements across the United States. Currently, federal negotiation teams are actively engaged in negotiating 22 additional agreements involving numerous tribes, according to the U.S. Interior Department.

The proposed water rights settlement stands as a vital step towards ensuring a fundamental right to water for Native American tribes, setting a precedent for cooperation and resource management amidst the growing challenges posed by climate change. As the Navajo Nation and other tribes work towards securing congressional approval, there is hope that this landmark agreement will alleviate water scarcity and foster a more sustainable and resilient future for all tribal communities involved.