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Audubon helps the Yavapai-Apache Nation’s water rights settlement and pending laws, the Yavapai-Apache Nation Water Rights Settlement Act of 2024.
The Yavapai-Apache Nation and different events in Arizona have come to a historic settlement with the settlement now earlier than Congress. Not solely will this settlement—when handed by Congress and signed by the President—guarantee a dependable and sustainable water provide for the Yavapai-Apache Nation in north central Arizona’s iconic “Verde Valley,” it is going to protect the Verde River and its valuable habitat by decreasing reliance on groundwater.
Inside the Verde Valley, Audubon has recognized four Important Bird Areas, all of which depend on wholesome groundwater ranges to maintain flowing rivers and streams and the wealthy plants and wildlife they help. One of many many advantages of this settlement consists of serving to to maintain a portion of the Verde River downstream of the Yavapai-Apache Nation that was designated as a Wild and Scenic River by Congress in 1984.
The settlement is the results of revolutionary and artistic pondering from the Yavapai-Apache Nation, Salt River Undertaking, the City of Camp Verde, the City of Cottonwood, the City of Clarkdale, and others. The settlement consists of constructing a 60-mile water pipeline from C.C. Cragin Reservoir on the Mogollon Rim, north of Payson, growing the seize of wastewater into sewer methods, boosting the usage of reclaimed water, and the potential for regional water planning and collaboration amongst close by municipalities and the Yavapai-Apache Nation.
Audubon Southwest, our regional workplace in Arizona and New Mexico, can be a part of the Water for Arizona Coalition. In 2022, Water for Arizona outlined a imaginative and prescient for learn how to enhance Arizona’s water outlook, referred to as the Arizona Water Security Plan. One of many six key tenets is: Proceed to help Tribes in resolving Tribal water points. This settlement is a key milestone as Arizona works to enhance its general water safety.
It’s lengthy late for the Yavapai-Apache Nation to have safe and dependable water provides, and this settlement is a monumental step ahead for his or her rising group. Bipartisan, bicameral laws to enact and fund the settlement is sponsored by Arizona’s Senators Kelly (D) and Sinema (I) within the U.S. Senate. Consultant Schweikert (R) launched the U.S. Home invoice, cosponsored by Representatives Ciscomani (R), Lesko (R), Stanton (D), and Gallego (D).
Audubon helps the passage of the settlement laws and the availability of roughly $1 billion to make sure the venture is delivered to completion. As a part of our help, we despatched a letter to Arizona’s Congressional delegation, which you’ll view under.