Navajo President Shelly and Water Rights Commission to Hold Water Rights Public Forums

Native News Network Staff in Native Currents. Discussion »

WINDOW ROCK, ARIZONA – Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly announced that he plans to hold several public forums about a recently introduced Senate bill that proposes to settle Navajo Nation and Hopi Tribe water rights.

April 17-26

The forums will in held in conjunction with the Navajo Nation Water Rights Commission.

Sen. Jon Kyl introduced the "Navajo-Hopi Little Colorado River Water Rights Settlement Act of 2012" into the US Senate in February this year. S. 2109 proposes to settle water claims and litigation regarding the Little Colorado River.

“We need to make sure our Navajo people are informed about this bill. Water rights is always a sensitive subject, so as a leader, I must make sure our people understand what this bill means to our people,”

said President Shelly.

Approval from the Navajo Nation and the Hopi Tribe is needed before the bill is finalized.

The following is the schedule of public forums on the Little Colorado River Water Rights. All meetings are scheduled at 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the respective location indicated.

posted April 5, 2012 6:30 am edt