Sinema and White Mountain Apache Chairman Velasquez discussed drought relief and Sinema’s legislation supporting completion of the White Mountain Apache Rural Water System and Miner Flat Dam project
WASHINGTON – Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema discussed with newly-elected White Mountain Apache Chairman Kasey Velasquez legislation, cosponsored by Sinema, that supports the completion of the White Mountain Apache Rural Water System and Miner Flat Dam project.
“I congratulate Chairman Velasquez on his election and look forward to a continued positive and productive partnership with the White Mountain Apache Tribe in securing legislation, such as our bipartisan infrastructure law that fully funds the Tribe’s water rights settlement and our bill supporting the White Mountain Apache Rural Water System and Miner Flat Dam project’s completion,” said Sinema.
Sinema congratulated Chairman Velasquez on his election and inauguration, and expressed support for the continued positive and productive relationship with the Tribe.
Sinema’s legislation amends the White Mountain Apache Tribe’s water settlement enacted in 2010 by authorizing the use of additional federal funds and extending the time needed to complete the White Mountain Apache Rural Water System and Miner Flat Dam project. Due to unforeseen technical delays and cost-overruns in the planning and designing of the Tribes’ water project, an extension of the deadline set by Congress for constructing the project is needed. This water project would provide clean, reliable drinking water for tribal members on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation, including Whiteriver, Fort Apache, Canyon Day, Cedar Creek, Carrizo, and Cibecue.
Sinema’s bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs law fully funds all currently-authorized Indian Water Rights Settlements – including funding the White Mountain Apache Tribe’s Water Rights Settlement.