Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project Amendments Act of 2023

Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project Amendments Act of 2023

This bill extends deadlines and otherwise revises the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project. This project was first authorized by the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009, which settled the Navajo Nation's water rights in the San Juan Basin of New Mexico.

Specifically, the bill extends through December 31, 2029, the deadline for constructing project facilities.

The bill allows for additional project service areas, including by allowing the Navajo Nation to expand the project service area in order to deliver water supply from the project to Lupton, Arizona.

The bill directs the Department of the Interior to take certain land into trust for the benefit of the Navajo Nation.

The bill also establishes (1) the Navajo Nation Operations, Maintenance, and Replacement Trust Fund; and (2) the Jicarilla Apache Nation Operations, Maintenance, and Replacement Trust Fund.

Bill 118 hr 3977, also known as the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project Amendments Act of 2023, is a piece of legislation that aims to make amendments to the existing Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project. This project was originally authorized in 2009 to provide a sustainable water supply to the Navajo Nation, the city of Gallup, New Mexico, and surrounding areas.

The amendments proposed in this bill include increasing the funding for the project to ensure its completion, as well as addressing any potential issues or challenges that have arisen since its initial authorization. The bill also seeks to improve coordination between the various stakeholders involved in the project, such as the federal government, state governments, and tribal governments.

Additionally, the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project Amendments Act of 2023 aims to prioritize the needs of the Navajo Nation and other underserved communities in the region, ensuring that they have access to clean and reliable water sources. The bill also includes provisions for environmental protection and conservation efforts to safeguard the water supply for future generations. Overall, this legislation is focused on ensuring the successful implementation of the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project and addressing any challenges that may arise along the way. By providing increased funding, improving coordination, and prioritizing the needs of underserved communities, the bill aims to ensure that all residents in the region have access to a sustainable and reliable water supply.