Historic Yavapai-Apache Nation Water Settlement Benefits Arizona, Water and Wildlife
We are proud to support the Yavapai-Apache Nation’s landmark water rights settlement that will protect the Verde River on the tribe’s ancestral homelands.
Media Contacts
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Bretta Nelson
Media Relations
Phone: 480-748-8640
Email: bretta.nelson@tnc.org
The Nature Conservancy in Arizona (TNC) is proud to support the Yavapai-Apache Nation’s landmark water rights settlement that will protect the Verde River on the tribe’s ancestral homelands and keep the river flowing as one of Arizona’s few remaining perennial waterways.
The Verde River is the life-source for an incredible diversity of fish, birds, mammals and native vegetation. It is also a critical source of water for drinking, agriculture and recreation for the Verde Valley and Phoenix Metro Area’s nearly 5 million residents.
The settlement underscores the remarkable power of collaboration: It involved a huge confluence of stakeholders, including the Nation, the State of Arizona, federal government, Salt River Project and Verde Valley communities. TNC lent its support through scientific research and promoting community dialogue.
The settlement now faces a critical next step: It must be ratified by Congress. The good news? It has broad, bipartisan support. Sens. Mark Kelly and Krysten Sinema introduced the Yavapai-Apache Nation Water Rights Settlement Act in the U.S. Senate, and Congressman David Schweikert introduced the House version, co-sponsored by House Reps. Juan Ciscomani, Debbie Lesko and Greg Stanton. Rep. Ruben Gallego also has publicly stated his support.
The central pillar of the more than $1 billion settlement involves a pipeline that would deliver water from the C.C. Cragin Reservoir on the Mogollon Rim to the Yavapai-Apache Nation in the Verde Valley.
This imported water not only provides a new water source, but is also essential for limiting groundwater pumping, which threatens the long-term sustainability of the Verde River and the Nation’s groundwater supplies.
We are thrilled that TNC was able to play a supporting role in the settlement and that Arizona’s Congressional delegation is working across party lines on its passage. Let’s keep up the momentum!
Learn more from Yavapai-Apache Nation Chairwoman Tanya Lewis.
The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at an unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more sustainable. The Nature Conservancy is working to make a lasting difference around the world in 77 countries and territories (41 by direct conservation impact and 36 through partners) through a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit nature.org or follow @nature_press on X.
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