WATER · ISSUE 2 OF 5
The $5 Billion Settlement
What it is
The Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement authorizes roughly $5 billion for water delivery infrastructure and a Lake Powell pipeline. The Council approved it in May 2024. Congress adjourned in December 2024 without ratifying it. It was reintroduced in 2025.
One candidate — Myron Lizer — named it: “Did we really get our fair share? Five billion dollars?” Arvin Trujillo referenced the prior Navajo Gallup project. Forty other candidates did not name the settlement.
Why the silence: The settlement is federal, technical, and stalled in Washington. A voter choosing who carries the Nation’s water future might want to know who is tracking it.
Learn
Understand the system — then consult an expert
Infrastructure 101 — covers water rights settlements and the Navajo Gallup project.
Where the Law Actually Lives — federal law governs the settlement.
The Cases That Decided Things — water rights trace to treaty and federal trust obligations.
Consult an expert: Ask about the settlement’s current status →
Plan & Assess
Where candidates stand — weigh it yourself
Infrastructure — candidates side by side — who named specific water solutions.
The one separating question: “Where does the Northeastern Arizona water settlement stand in Congress, and what is the Nation’s next step?” Full question list →
Act
What you can do now
Request it now: Request the settlement’s current congressional status →
Share what you find: If you locate current status, tell us →
Report & Monitor
Track progress — hold the right office accountable
What should be public: The Nation’s negotiating position, congressional timeline, and what happens if ratification fails. What should be public →
Track it: Congress.gov tracks bill status. What we could not locate →