The Lower Colorado Region's Native American Program continues to maintain and develops partnerships with Native American Tribes in resolving water resources needs, undertaking water resource development and management activities, enhancing technical capabilities of Tribes. The Region also:
- Provides support
for and participates in Department of Interior water rights negotiations.
- Provides Reclamation assistance to the Secretary of the Interior in protecting Indian trust assets from adverse impacts by Reclamation actions.
The NAAO program implements Reclamation policies and programs within the Region as well as assists tribes to participate in Regional activities that help Tribal governments protect, manage, and develop their water related resources.
Here are some of the FY2001 program activity highlights around our region:
We also participate in:Zuni
- The Pueblo of Zuni approached Reclamation seeking support to address needs related to water shortages. Reclamation provided funds for the Pueblo of Zuni to develop a drought contingency plan. The Pueblo of Zuni staff and contract resources are conducting the work. Status: Ongoing
- The Pueblo of Zuni requested assistance in determining the effectiveness of wetlands at treating wastewater generated on the Pueblo and the feasibility of using the water in agriculture (wastewater reuse). Using funds provided by Reclamation, the Pueblo of Zuni has completed construction of three wetland ponds and began plantings and monitoring the wetlands. Status: Ongoing
Pauma
The Pauma Tribe requested support from Reclamation to help them develop information to support their goal of good management of their water resources and the watershed in which their reservation is located. Reclamation provided funding to the Tribe to:
- Create maps of the Reservation using aerial photographs for planning and management purposes
- Measure the flow from springs on the reservation
- Install surface runoff gauges and monitor same.
The work is being performed by Tribal staff and consultant services. Status: Ongoing
Ramona
The Ramona Tribe requested support from Reclamation to help them assess and understand the water resources of their Reservation. Reclamation provided funding for the Tribe, using their own staff and consultant services, to conduct a water resources assessment of the reservation and document those findings in a report. Status: Complete.
Kaibab Paiute
Progress continued in FY 2001 on completing the Kaibab Paiute drought contingency plan. The plan is scheduled to be finalized by September 2002.
Havasupai
The Havasupai Tribe approached Reclamation for assistance in improving their water system. Reclamation provided funds to the Tribe to hire an engineering firm, drill and install a temporary water line. Status: Ongoing
Hopi
The Hopi Tribe has approached Reclamation for assistance in assessing and managing their surface and ground water resources. Reclamation has provided funds to the Tribe for:
Four sentinel wells have been installed on the Moenkopi to monitor groundwater contamination and development of long range management plans. Status: Ongoing
- Water quality assessments
- GIS database completion
- Beaver dam dredging
- Constructed wetlands
- Restoration of the southwest willow flycatcher habitat
- Determining drilling depths and construction costs of proposed drinking water supply wells and cattle-watering windmills
Quechan
Reclamation continued its partnership with the Quechan Tribe on the closeout of the Morelos Dredging Project. The closeout consists of land leveling for approximately 153 aces of dredge material. Once it is leveled, the Tribe will use the area for farming in the near-term.
Cocopah
Technical Assistance grants were awarded to the Cocopah Tribe for both a Tribal Nursery and Environmental Resource Study. The Tribe received two grants totaling $60,000. The nursery proposal covers native species seedling procurement, site survey, land prep, irrigation system, and security near the river. The environmental resource proposal creates a plan to enhance the Cocopah Tribe's native habitat and cultural resources along the river.
Hualapai
- The Hualapai Tribe approached Reclamation for assistance in assessing the occurrence and extent of Southwest Willow Flycatchers and their habitat on the Reservation. Reclamation provided funds to the Tribe to conduct surveys and prepare a report. Status: Complete
- Progress continued on completion of the Hualapai Tribe's drought contingency plan. An agreement was executed between the Tribe and Reclamation in FY2001 to complete a monitoring/exploratory well in Prospect Valley.
Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation
Reclamation negotiated and executed a P.L. 93-638 Contract with the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation for the planning, design and construction to develop 227 acres for irrigation and farming opportunities as mandated by the Fort McDowell Indian Community Water Settlement Act of 1990 (P.L. 101-628). NAAO program provided the funding for this project with unexpended Fiscal year 2001 NAAO funds.
Gila River Indian Community
Executed an Annual Funding Agreement enabling the Gila River Indian Community to continue the construction activities associated with developing 173,100 acre-feet of Central Arizona Project Water as a part of the Pima-Maricopa Irrigation Project.
San Carlos Apache Tribe
Provided Technical Assistance and funding through a P.L. 93-638 Cooperative Agreement to continue the planning activities associated with the San Carlos Apache Tribe's entitlement to 12,700 acre-feet of Central Arizona Project Water.
White Mountain Apache Tribe
Worked in cooperation with the Tribal Recreation and Wildlife Department to develop a Recreation Lakes Enhancement Plan of Study. Developed a list of potential improvements related to current watershed problems, economic development opportunities and water quality and supply goals established by the Tribal Council. Funds were provided as Technical Assistance from the Native American Technical Assistance Program. This study is scheduled to be completed at end of fiscal year 2002.
Navajo Nation
Worked as part of an Intergovernmental Task Force with the Navajo Nation, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Natural Resource Conservation Service, and Reclamation's Upper Colorado Region to complete a comprehensive water development strategy to meet municipal, industrial and agricultural demands estimated for the year 2050. Funds were provided as Technical Assistance from the Native American Technical Assistance Program.
Navajo Pinon Wetlands
Constructed wetlands were monitored during FY2001. USGS staff who conducted the monitoring activities provided a report to the Boulder Canyon Operations Office.
Yavapai-Prescott Tribe
The Yavapai-Prescott Tribe need a return effluent pipeline from the City of Prescott's wastewater treatment plant so that they can use the effluent generated on the Reservation and treated at the wastewater treatment plant. The Tribe requested Reclamation's assistance to design and construct the return effluent pipeline. Reclamation began reparing the designs and specifications for the effluent pipeline. The designs are scheduled to be completed in FY2002. Funding for the construction of the pipeline will be provided by Tribal and other funding sources. The effluent pipeline will enable the Yavapai-Prescott Tribe to receive the benefits that were prescribed to them through the effluent agreement with the City of Prescott.
Water Conservation and Management
Ganado Irrigation Water Conservation Project
Reclamation staff participated as a part of a Tribal-Federal team to implement a preferred alternative developed in FY2000. The alternative included completing the scope of work for a video production designed to meet National Historic Preservation Act requirements determined as a part of the project environmental assessment. Reclamation also completed the design of the phase one construction and procured $750,000 of high density polyethylene pipe funded through Reclamation's Efficiency Improvement Program..
Navajo Nation Drought Contingency Plan
Reclamation staff provided Technical Assistance and funding (from the Reclamation States Emergency Drought Program) to begin developing a drought contingency plan.
Hopi Tribe Drought Contingency Plan
Reclamation staff provided Technical Assistance and funding under Reclamation's States Emergency Drought Program to complete its review of the Hopi Tribe Drought Contingency Plan. The plan was forwarded to the Denver Water Resource office in Denver for final review and approval prior to being forwarded to the Commissioner for submission to Congress.
Water Resource Management Certification Program
NAAO staff participated as an instructor presenting "Principles of Cartography" as a part of the water resources education program at New Mexico State University.
SACNAS Conference
Reclamation participated as an exhibitor at the 2001 National Conference held in September at the Phoenix Civic Plaza. Over 1,600 high school or college students interested in or majoring in the sciences participated. The Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS)'s mission is to encourage and prepare children, students, and young professionals to excel in science. The conference was an opportunity for colleges and potential employers to meet and interact with young people who are future scientists, engineers, and technologists. Many students were interested in opportunities with Reclamation programs because of opportunities to work on environmental and natural resources activities.
Southwest Strategy
Southwest Strategy was established in 1998 by the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture and the Deputy Undersecretary of Defense (Environmental Security). The strategy provides a functional forum forFederal agencies involved in resource management and community developmental issues to work in collaboration with each other, and the public, as well as Tribal, state and local governments in Arizona and New Mexico. The Regional Executive Committee (REC) consists of 13 agencies including both the Lower Colorado and Upper Colorado Regional Directors. The Tribal Federal Relations Work Group serves as a subcommittee to the REC and involves Indian Nations through dialogue and discussion on common natural resource and community development issues.
Tribal Land and People Summit
A listening session was held in August in Window Rock, Arizona, co-hosted by the Navajo Nation. This was an opportunity for Tribes to present their issues and concerns to high level Federal representatives. LC Region's Deputy Regional Director was a participant in the summit's listening session. The summit was well received by both the Tribes and the participating agencies.
Southwest Strategy Tribal Conservation Tour
A tour of projects in New Mexico and Arizona highlighting the successful partnerships between Tribes and Federal agencies was conducted. Two bus loads of participants completed a three-day trip and visited a number of project sites. Bureau of Indian Affairs' Assistant Secretary Neil McCaleb was one of the high ranking federal officials that participated in the tour. This proved to be an excellent opportunity for Federal managers to visit with tribal leaders and get a first-hand account of Tribal issues and concerns. Reclamation projects on both Hopi and Navajo Reservations were visited and presentation by the Reclamation staffers.
Southwest Strategy Tribal/Federal Communication and Collaboration Guide
Reclamation participated in developing a 100+ page document to provide contact information on all of the tribes in Arizona and New Mexico as well as all of the Federal agencies that serviced these two states. The Tribal Federal Workgroup published this document and provided it to the Tribes in both paper and CD-ROM format as well as the Southwest Strategy website: http://www.swstrategy.org.
Upper Gila River (Gila River Indian Community and San Carlos Apache Tribe)
The Gila River Indian Community component of these negotiations continued between the Community and the non-Federal interests in the basin. Discussions between the Community and the San Carlos Apache Tribe are on hold awaiting sufficient progress between the Community and the non-Federal interests.
Gila River Indian Community
The Gila River Indian Community continued to negotiate with the non-Federal interests in the Phoenix area and in the agricultural areas surrounding the reservation. Significant progress was made.
Tohono O'odham Nation
The Tohono O'odham Nation and interests in the Tucson area continued to negotiate amendments to the 1980 Southern Arizona Water Rights Settlement Act. Progress was made on a number of issues.
Summary of Lower Colorado Region Native American Program Highlights in Fiscal Year 2001
about the Native American Affairs Office