Two Arizona Tribal leaders asked lawmakers in Washington to approve a pair of bills that would strengthen Tribal water rights and further develop critical water infrastructure as the historic megadrought deepens its grip on the West.

Cronkite News reports that White Mountain Apache Chairwoman Gwendena Lee-Gatewood testified before the Senate Indian Affairs Committee that more funding and time are required to complete the Tribe’s rural water system, which has faced numerous delays despite Congress approving the project over ten years ago.

Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) Chairwoman Amelia Flores also urged legislators to allow the tribes to lease parts of the Colorado River supply to other parts of the state. While CRIT enjoys senior rights to the river, current federal law prevents it from reallocating its water off Tribal lands without congressional approval.

“This is a critical time in the Colorado River Basin,” Flores said. “We are facing a mega-drought and Arizona is Ground Zero.”

To read the full story, go here: https://cronkitenews.azpbs.org/2022/03/23/two-arizona-tribe-leaders-make-case-for-critically-needed-water-projects/