Senate passes bill containing Navajo projects

WASHINGTON, D.C. - House Resolution 146 (HR 146) passed the Senate on March 19 by a comfortable margin (77-20) in a second attempt to pass a massive bill affording protections to public lands, wilderness areas, historic battlefields, water rights and related water projects.

The legislation would settle certain water rights between the Navajo Nation and the state of New Mexico and clarifies the administration of Navajo reservoir release by affirming water quantities and distribution. Approximately 22,650 acre feet of water will be used for the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project.

Most recently known as the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009, this newly proposed legislation still contains the authorization of the construction of the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project, a water delivery system for Navajo communities along U.S. Highway 491 from Shiprock to Gallup. The project would also provide service to the city of Gallup, the Jicarilla Apache Nation and eastern Arizona, including Window Rock.

The House failed to pass Senate Bill 22 (S 22) last week by the required two-thirds majority necessary for legislation on the Suspension Calendar. In response, the Senate incorporated the language of S 22 in the previously passed HR 146 - The Revolutionary War and War of 1812 Battlefield Protection Act. This move by the Senate means that the when the House reconsiders the modified version of HR 146, the legislation can be approved by a simple majority vote without the opportunity for amendments.

President Shirley has testified in both the House and the Senate on the proposed bill when it was a stand-alone measure (S1171). That bill was wrapped into S 22 in January then incorporated into HR 146 this week.

Besides protecting historic battlefields, other sections of HR 146 contained language from more than 150 other bills to create more than two million acres of new wilderness areas; expand national parks; create new wild and scenic rivers; and other new protections for public lands.

Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-New Mexico) continues to champion the legislation with most Senate and House lawmakers representing the Navajo Nation supporting the provisions.

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