Arizona Water Settlements Act
Latest Action
Became Public Law No: 108-451.
Official Summary
Arizona Water Settlements Act - Central Arizona Project Settlement Act of 2003 - Sets forth general permissible uses of the Central Arizona Project (CAP) (a water reclamation project), including for domestic, municipal, fish and wildlife, and industrial purposes.Sets forth requirements for the reallocation of CAP non-Indian agricultural and uncontracted municipal and industrial priority water.Requires the Secretary of the Interior and the State of Arizona to develop a firming program to ensure the availability of a specified amount of agricultural priority water to Arizona Indian tribes during water shortages.Authorizes, ratifies, and confirms the Arizona Water Settlement Agreement.Allows excess funds from the Lower Colorado River Basin Development Fund and any annual payments by the Central Arizona Water Conservation District to effect repayment of reimbursable CAP construction costs to be used against annual payments for CAP owed by the District.Authorizes appropriations for compliance with specified biological opinions relating to impacts of CAP water delivery and storage.Gila River Indian Community Water Rights Settlement Act of 2003 - Approves the Gila River Indian Community Water Rights Settlement Agreement. Describes reallocated Community water rights and revises Community water delivery requirements. Provides for waiver and release of Community water rights claims against Arizona.Establishes the Gila River Indian Community Water OM&R Trust Fund.Directs the Secretary to establish a program to repair and remediate Community subsidence and related damage.Requires the Secretary to assist in reducing the total water demand for irrigation use in the upper valley of the Gila River by acquiring and extinguishing or transferring water rights and entering fallowing agreements.Rewrites the Southern Arizona Water Rights Settlement Act of 1982 as the Southern Arizona Water Rights Settlement Amendments Act of 2003. Sets forth water delivery requirements and construction obligations with respect to the San Xavier Indian Reservation and the Schuk Toak District as well as permissible water uses. Reauthorizes a cooperative fund for operation, maintenance, and repair costs associated with water delivery to the Reservation and District. Provides for waiver and release of water rights claims of the Tohono O'odham Nation (formerly the Papago Tribe). Sets forth requirements regarding after-acquired trust lands on behalf of the Nation. Reauthorizes a trust fund established for such Nation.
GovScope Watchdog™
AI Government Intelligence™The Arizona Water Settlements Act, passed as Public Law No: 108-451, establishes the legal framework for the use and allocation of water from the Central Arizona Project (CAP). It sets forth water use priorities, authorizes agreements and settlements with Arizona Indian tribes, and provides for funding and programs to address water shortages, infrastructure maintenance, and environmental compliance. The Act also revises previous water rights settlements and establishes trust funds and programs for water management and damage remediation.
This bill formalizes water rights settlements and management for Arizona, including provisions for Indian tribes and water resource development, which are critical for regional water allocation and infrastructure.
- Defines permissible uses of Central Arizona Project water for domestic, municipal, fish and wildlife, and industrial purposes.
- Establishes water rights settlements and agreements with Arizona Indian tribes, including the Gila River Indian Community and the Tohono O'odham Nation.
- Authorizes funding and programs for water delivery, maintenance, repair, and environmental compliance related to CAP water projects.
The bill benefits Arizona Indian tribes, municipal and industrial water users, environmental and wildlife interests, and state and federal agencies involved in water resource management and infrastructure.
Implementation may involve complex coordination between federal and state agencies and tribal entities, potential costs related to infrastructure and environmental compliance, and challenges in managing water allocations during shortages. The full bill text is not provided, limiting detailed assessment of specific provisions.
As a water resources development bill originating in the Senate during the 108th Congress and having passed into law, this legislation addresses longstanding water rights and resource management issues in Arizona, reflecting bipartisan interest in regional water stability and tribal settlements.
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The bill may influence water availability and management in Arizona, impacting agricultural, municipal, industrial, and environmental water users. It could also affect tribal relations and regional water infrastructure planning and maintenance.
The full bill text is not provided, limiting detailed analysis of specific provisions and potential costs. Citizens may want to review implementation progress related to water allocation, infrastructure maintenance, and environmental compliance as authorized by the Act.
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