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House creates Navajo Water Rights Negotiation Account, approves $2 million start and state 5% share
Summary
The House approved HB 127 to create a Navajo water-rights negotiation account and approved $2 million in initial funding; sponsor said a 5% state share is roughly $8 million and that total Navajo entitlement would not exceed 81,500 acre-feet.
The Utah House approved House Bill 127 on Feb. 20 to create a Navajo Water Rights Negotiation Account intended to support settlement negotiations with Utah Navajo communities and federal partners. The bill passed the House 70-0 and will be transmitted to the Senate.
Representative Watkins, sponsor of the bill, told members the proposed account will be administered by the Division of Finance and will be used to support negotiated settlement terms related to water from the San Juan River and other sources. He said the Navajo Nation's potential allocation under settlement terms would not exceed 81,500 acre-feet.
Watkins described the state's expected financial contribution as roughly 5% of project costs and estimated that 5% share at approximately $8,000,000, while the fiscal note allocates $2,000,000 for the initial start in FY2013. He emphasized the state is offering this funding to avoid costly litigation and to secure a signed, enforceable project repayment agreement with the U.S. Department of the Interior and a settlement with the Navajo parties.
Members asked about oversight and whether other tribes would participate. Watkins said negotiations were with the "Utah Navajos" and noted the state engineer, Kent Jones, has been the main state negotiator. Representative Noel and others expressed support, citing needs in San Juan County and respecting federal-state-tribal roles.
The House approved HB 127 unanimously and sent it to the Senate for further consideration.
