Lawmakers push for action on water, coal, incomplete projects at Western Agency Council meeting
Special to the Times | Donovan Quintero
Water drips from a hose near Cameron Trading Post in Cameron, Ariz., on June 21 as drought and water scarcity continue to affect communities across the Navajo Nation.
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The Western Navajo Agency Council met June 14 at the Page Middle School gym to hear legislative updates, discuss infrastructure issues, and review changes to federal and tribal funding, including the American Rescue Plan Act and the Government Fund/Revenue Replacement Reserve programs.
Speaker Crystalyne Curley and Delegate Shaandiin Parrish, the Budget and Finance Committee chair, attended and presented at the meeting. They addressed a range of issues, including the ongoing water rights settlement, upcoming coal-related hearings, and the federal threats posed by recent budget proposals and executive actions.
Curley observed that the meeting differed from past gatherings in featuring “a lot more in-depth conversation about the threats from the federal level.” She noted that tribal officials are focused on how to respond to proposed budget cuts, looming federal actions, and revenue generation.
“Many of the chapter officials are new,” Curley said. “So from last meeting to now, I think there’s a lot more discussion happening about project completions and how we can make sound financial decisions at both the chapter and national level.”
Water rights, infrastructure and budget pressures take center stage
Curley also highlighted the uncertainty surrounding water rights legislation in Washington.
“The water settlement is still as is,” she said. “There have been no new amendments or modifications. We’re still waiting on Senate and House hearings, and leadership under the Department of the Interior hasn’t been fully confirmed yet.”
She explained that the settlement’s progress will remain stalled until appointments such as the assistant secretary for Indian Affairs are finalized.
“Our advocacy is still the same. We’ve been meeting with congressional leaders to talk about the lack of water infrastructure and ongoing drought conditions,” she said.
Parrish elaborated on the Council’s role in pressing for water infrastructure and prioritizing funding.
“The Navajo Nation Council completed its portion. The president signed off. Now, the speaker and I have been meeting with members of Congress, especially from Utah, to push for support,” she said. “The Budget and Finance Committee advocated for water treatment facilities during the last ARPA reallocation and ensured that facilities like the one in Kayenta would be included. We wanted to show the federal government that we can prioritize water with federal support.”
To read the full article, please see the June 26, 2025, edition of the Navajo Times.
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