WATCH: Kelly Delivers Remarks at Senate Indian Affairs Committee Hearing on Yavapai Apache Nation Water Rights Settlement

This week, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly delivered remarks at a Senate Committee on Indian Affairs hearing on the Yavapai Apache Nation Water Rights Settlement Act he introduced earlier this year.

Kelly highlighted the historic nature of the settlement and the broad coalition standing behind it: "In a region where water is such a precious commodity, it is rare to see water providers and state, local, and tribal governments all in agreement about water allocation. That level of agreement did not happen by accident. It is the result of years of good-faith negotiations."

Kelly also emphasized the settlement's importance for both the Nation and the broader Verde Valley: "This settlement provides a historic opportunity to finally resolve longstanding water rights claims. It also helps protect the Verde River by reducing reliance on groundwater pumping, benefiting not only the Nation, but also neighboring communities and downstream water users across Arizona."

Kelly urged Congress to act and called on the Department of Interior to keep moving: "The Nation has waited long enough. There's no need to make them wait any longer."

Sen. Kelly delivers remarks at Senate Indian Affairs Committee Hearing.

Click here to download a video of Kelly's opening remarks. See the transcript below:

Senator Kelly:

Thank you, Madam Chair and Vice Chair Schatz. Thank you to you both for holding today's hearing on S. 3617, the Yavapai Apache Nation Water Rights Settlement Act. For generations, the Yavapai Apache Nation has sought a permanent, reliable water supply to support its people and preserve its homeland along the Verde River. This settlement provides a historic opportunity to finally resolve long standing water rights claims. It also helps the Department of Interior meet its trust responsibility by providing the infrastructure needed to make those water rights a reality. Just as importantly, it helps protect the Verde River by reducing reliance on groundwater pumping, benefiting not only the Nation, but also neighboring communities and downstream water users across Arizona.

What makes this water rights settlement remarkable is the coalition that stands behind it. This settlement is supported by the Nation, the state of Arizona, the Salt River Project, the Central Arizona Project, local governments, environmental organizations, and other important stakeholders. In a region where water is such a precious commodity, it is rare to see water providers and state, local, and tribal governments all in agreement about water allocation. That level of agreement did not happen by accident. It is the result of years of good faith negotiations. It reflects a shared recognition that this settlement is not just important, but absolutely vital for the future of the Yavapai Apache Nation and the long-term health of the Verde Valley.

This consensus was made possible thanks to the hard work of leaders like Chairman Buddy Rocha, who I have the honor of introducing today. Chairman Rocha was elected chairman of the Yavapai Apache Nation in 2025 after serving on the Tribal council and working in tribal economic development. Since taking office, he has made securing congressional approval of this water settlement a top priority building on decades of work by other tribal leaders.

But the work doesn't end here. We have to keep working closely with the Department of Interior to move this settlement forward, resolving any implementation issues, and ensure that the Nation can reliably access clean water. Most importantly, I encourage the Department to continue working in good faith with the Nation to develop infrastructure that meets long term needs within reasonable timelines and budgets. The Nation has waited long enough. There's no need to make them wait any longer. My staff and I are here to help facilitate this partnership in any way we can to get this settlement across the finish line.

Chairman Rocha, I want to thank you and the many tribal leaders who came before you for your persistence and leadership. Water rights settlements are among the most complex agreements Congress considers, and this one is no exception.

I urge my colleagues to support this important bill as it moves through the committee. I'll be submitting several letters of support from stakeholders across Arizona that highlight the importance of this legislation and the broad coalition supporting this settlement. Again, Chair Murkowski and Vice Chair Schatz, thank you for holding today's hearing on this very important legislation.