Yavapai-Apache Nation Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025

Resolution of Water Rights Claims: The bill seeks to "resolve, fully and finally, all claims to rights to water" for the Yavapai-Apache Nation (Section 2(1)).

Water Infrastructure Development: The authorization of the Tu nl[[nichoh Water Infrastructure Project will provide a Cragin-Verde Pipeline Project to deliver water and a YAN Drinking Water System Project to treat and distribute it (Section 6(a)).

Water Security for the Nation: The YAN Drinking Water System Project is designed to include a surface water treatment facility capable of treating significant amounts of water daily (Section 6(c)(3)(A)).

Land Acquisition for the Nation: The bill directs the Secretary to accept the transfer of title to specific lands to be held in trust for the benefit of the Yavapai-Apache Nation (Section 13(b)).

Financial Support for Tribal Projects: The Act establishes a Trust Fund that the Yavapai-Apache Nation can use for various purposes, including water projects, wastewater projects, and watershed restoration (Section 8(g)).

Water Availability for Yavapai County: Up to 1,639.74 acre-feet of water per year may be made available from the C.C. Cragin Reservoir for municipal and domestic uses in Yavapai County, Arizona, at no cost to the Salt River Federal Reclamation Project, provided water users contract with the project by December 31, 2029 (Section 17(a)).

Land Transfer for Camp Verde: The Forest Service is directed to work with the Town of Camp Verde to transfer title to up to 40 acres of Forest Service land located at the intersection of Interstate 17 and General Crook Trail for public safety and other municipal purposes (Section 17(c)).

Exemption from Acreage Limitations: The Reclamation Reform Act of 1982 and other acreage limitation or full-cost pricing provisions will not apply to individuals or entities solely based on receiving benefits under this Act, executing the Agreement, or using/storing CAP water (Section 16(c)).

Costs Borne by Beneficiaries: After the Date of Substantial Completion, the Yavapai-Apache Nation and other beneficiaries are responsible for the costs of care, operation, and maintenance of the Cragin-Verde Pipeline Project on a pro rata basis (Section 6(b)(6)(B)).

Waiver of Legal Claims: The bill requires the Yavapai-Apache Nation and the United States to execute a waiver and release of various past, present, and future claims regarding water rights and injury to water rights (Section 11(a)).

Financial Responsibility for Drinking Water Systems: The Yavapai-Apache Nation assumes responsibility for the care, operation, and maintenance of the YAN Drinking Water System Project once construction is complete (Section 6(c)(6)(A)).

Potential Loss of Funding if Deadlines are Missed: If the Secretary fails to publish a statement of findings by June 30, 2035, the Act is repealed and unexpended funds revert to the Treasury (Section 15(b)(1)).

Liability Restrictions on Legal Actions: The bill limits the ability of parties to an agreement or landowners/water users in the Gila River Watershed to seek monetary damages, court costs, or attorney fees when bringing certain legal actions against the Yavapai-Apache Nation or the United States (Section 16(a)).

Financial Risk Due to Funding Shortages: Under the antideficiency clause, the United States is not liable for failing to carry out obligations authorized by this Act if Congress does not provide adequate appropriations (Section 16(b)).