[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 77 (Wednesday, May 26, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1093]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


     INTRODUCTION OF THE GILA RIVER INDIAN COMMUNITY--PHELPS DODGE 
            CORPORATION WATER RIGHTS SETTLEMENT ACT OF 1999

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN B. SHADEGG

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 26, 1999

  Mr. SHADEGG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce legislation 
authorizing a water rights settlement which was entered into on May 4, 
1998, by the Gila River Indian Community and the Phelps Dodge Corp.
  As my colleagues who are involved with western water issues know, 
reaching a settlement to an Indian water rights dispute is an 
incredibly complex and contentious task. The parties to this agreement 
should be commended for their willingness to work cooperatively to 
settle their differences and for their perseverance in striving to 
reach an agreement.
  While the settlement which my legislation authorizes is an important 
step in the right direction, it is in many ways the vanguard for a much 
larger settlement currently under negotiation. These negotiations are 
intended to permanently and comprehensively address the water needs of 
central Arizona and the Phoenix metropolitan area while providing a 
final settlement of all water claims by the Gila River Indian 
Community.
  The issue of long-term water supplies is of the utmost importance to 
Arizona. Phoenix is currently the sixth largest metropolitan area in 
the United States and it continues to grow rapidly. It must have 
permanently assured, affordable water supplies to maintain its 
prosperity and sustain its growth. Any settlement which is ultimately 
reached must be crafted to ensure that water is readily available a 
century and more from now.
  The legislation which I introduce today provides a vehicle for 
advancing the process of negotiating a comprehensive settlement. I will 
work tirelessly to ensure that any settlement which is reached protects 
the water supplies of all Arizonans in perpetuity and acknowledges the 
primacy of State water law over allocation of this precious resource.

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