Navigating Navajo Water Rights in To’hajiilee and Crownpoint NM
In the Navajo town of Crownpoint, NM, on the afternoon of January 12, 2024, the Navajo Nation Water Rights Team gathered for a pivotal Public Education Meeting. As the clock struck 1 PM, the room buzzed with anticipation.
1. Initiating the Dialogue: The meeting kicked off with a warm welcome and prayer, setting the stage for a deep dive into the intricate web of Navajo water rights. Crystal Tulley Cordova, Principal Hydrologist in the Navajo Nation Department of Water Resources – Water Management Branch, took the floor to address a pressing question: Why aren’t homes without water being counted using satellite imagery? The audience was eager to understand the intricacies, and Crystal explained that while satellite imagery was utilized for estimates, achieving 100% accuracy remained a challenge.
2. Funding-Based Settlements: As the meeting ticked on, concerns surfaced regarding funding-based settlements versus project-based approaches. The settlement with the Navajo-Utah Commission was dissected, revealing that this funding-based strategy had been collectively agreed upon by the Navajo Nation Council.
3. Allottees and the Uncertain Future: A notable shift in the discussion brought attention to the responsibilities surrounding allottees. The Department of Interior’s wavering stance on the role of allottees in future settlements ignited another conversation. The possibility of the federal government representing allottees, rather than Navajo Nation, added a layer of complexity and concern.
4. Proposing Projects for Progress: With settlements leaning towards a funding-based structure, the focus turned to the importance of proposing projects for the effective utilization of funds. Navajo Nation’s obligation to identify projects that would benefit the community became a key point of discussion.
5. Water Import Strategy: As the afternoon sun cast long shadows into the meeting room, the conversation shifted to a practical solution for water scarcity. Local New Mexico chapters had agreed to import water from the San Juan River due to localized groundwater contamination. Suggestions from the audience to utilize BIA well data were met with confirmation from Crystal that the data was readily available.
6. Balancing Act: San Juan Water and Local Rights: As the clock approached 4 PM, concerns were raised about the potential overreliance on imported San Juan water. The proposed solution aimed at a balanced approach, importing water from the San Juan while safeguarding rights to local groundwater for future uses.
7. Economic Implications and Legislative Hope: The meeting concluded with a poignant reminder of the link between reliable water access and economic development. Michelle Yazzie, Assistant Attorney General for the Navajo Nation Department of Justice Water Rights Unit, shared hopeful news, expressing plans to present legislation for Navajo water rights in Arizona to the Council in early February, signifying a proactive step towards addressing water rights issues.
As the NNWRC Public Education Meeting drew to a close, the journey towards securing a sustainable water future for the Navajo Nation continued.
