WASHINGTON — The Trump-Vance Administration reaffirmed its commitment to tribes in the Colorado River Basin this week. As part of that commitment, the Bureau of Reclamation awarded $21.5 million to the White Mountain Apache Tribe for a project aimed at bringing clean water to approximately 15,000 people.
The funding is for planning and design of the drinking water system for residents of the Tribe in east-central Arizona.
“This investment is an important step in ensuring this project to bring clean, reliable drinking water to the residents of the White Mountain Apache Tribe moves forward,” said Acting Commissioner David Palumbo. “We will continue to work closely with all Colorado River Basin Tribes as well as the states for the future of the Basin.”
The project is part of the White Mountain Apache Tribe Water Rights Quantification Act as amended and will divert, store and distribute water from the North Fork of the White River for the use and benefit of the Tribe in east-Central Arizona.
Last week, leaders from the Department of the Interior and Reclamation hosted a virtual meeting with representatives of the 30 tribes in the Colorado River Basin to reaffirm the commitment of President Trump’s administration to ensuring the interests of the tribes are represented as discussions move forward.
“It is critically important to us that our Tribal Trust responsibility is upheld, and the Colorado River Basin Tribes remain involved in the process,” Acting Assistant Secretary for Water and Science Scott Cameron said. “We look forward to beginning in-person meetings with each of you to discuss your needs and concerns moving forward.”
Several in-person meetings with Colorado River Basin Tribes are scheduled to be held in the coming weeks with others in the works.
Interior and Reclamation continue to engage with our basin state and tribal partners on development of post-2026 operations, a critical effort that will shape the future of the Colorado River Basin. Throughout the coming weeks and months, Interior will provide updates on progress as it aims to complete a Post-2026 Draft Environmental Impact Statement by the end of the calendar year.
More information on Post-2026 Operations can be found at its website.
