Arizona tribes faced with controversial water decision

The Navajo and Hopi tribes in Arizona have been offered the choice of keeping their rights to the Little Colorado River system or giving them up in exchange for groundwater delivery to the reservations. Senators McCain and Kyl introduced the Navajo-Hopi Little Colorado River Water Rights Settlement to the tribes last week. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, approximately one third of Navajo homes are without public drinking water and many do not have indoor plumbing.

Many oppose the bill because, if the tribes give up their rights, coal and agricultural entities could take over the Little Colorado River water system. Neither tribe has signed the bill. Navajo leaders are currently setting up a public meeting with the Arizona senators that will be located on the reservation.

Read more at New York Times Green.

Image credit: USGS.