ON THE INTRODUCTION OF ``THE NORTHWESTERN NEW MEXICO RURAL WATER PROJECTS ACT'' -- (Extensions of Remarks - April 19, 2007)
* Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Madam Speaker, I rise today to re-introduce The Northwestern New Mexico Rural Water Projects Act. This legislation, which was also introduced today in the Senate by my colleagues from New Mexico, Senators Bingaman and Domenici, will ratify the historic San Juan River Settlement Agreement. This agreement, signed by the Navajo Nation and the State of New Mexico, will provide for the development of a rural water system to address the water needs of numerous New Mexicans, many of them members of the Navajo Nation.
* Once ratified, the settlement agreement will resolve the Navajo Nation's water rights. It will also provide a water supply for Gallup, New Mexico, and recognize authorized and existing uses of San Juan River basin water. In exchange for relinquishing some of their claims to water from the San Juan River basin, the Navajo Nation will benefit from water development projects which include the Navajo-Gallup project and the Navajo Nation Municipal pipeline. Incredibly, even now in 21st-century America, more than 70,000 Navajos must still haul water daily for residential use. These water projects will go a long way toward rectifying that grievous situation.
* The Navajo Nation, the State of New Mexico and many other residents of northwestern New Mexico put a tremendous amount of effort into reaching an agreement that will provide a more secure future for many vulnerable communities. I am proud to be able to contribute today to their hard work and diligent commitment by introducing the legislation in the House. I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this legislation and move these important water projects forward.