After a five-decade long struggle, the Yavapai-Apache Nation in Arizona has achieved a monumental victory with the approval of its water rights settlement. This landmark agreement, reached through extensive negotiations with local communities, the Salt River Project, state and federal officials, and aided by a recent policy shift by Governor Katie Hobbs, ensures a secure water future for the tribe and the Verde Valley region.
A key component of the settlement is the construction of a pipeline from the C.C. Cragin Reservoir to the Verde Valley, providing a dedicated water source for the tribe. Using this pipeline, the tribe can exchange 1,200 acre-feet of CAP water with SRP for an additional 1,200 acre-feet of Cragin water. The tribe also retains the ability to acquire future water rights under the settlement.
This settlement not only addresses the tribe's long-standing water claims but also enables sustainable reuse of effluent water and supports the preservation of the Verde River, a vital cultural and economic resource for the region. The approval marks a new chapter for the Yavapai-Apache Nation, allowing them to further develop their land and community while protecting their ancestral heritage.
