[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 63 (Thursday, April 19, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E805]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   ON THE INTRODUCTION OF ``THE NORTHWESTERN NEW MEXICO RURAL WATER 
                             PROJECTS ACT''

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TOM UDALL

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 19, 2007

  Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Madam Speaker, I rise today to re-introduce 
The Northwestern New Mexico Rural Water Projects Act. This legislation, 
which was also introduced today in the Senate by my colleagues from New 
Mexico, Senators Bingaman and Domenici, will ratify the historic San 
Juan River Settlement Agreement. This agreement, signed by the Navajo 
Nation and the State of New Mexico, will provide for the development of 
a rural water system to address the water needs of numerous New 
Mexicans, many of them members of the Navajo Nation.
  Once ratified, the settlement agreement will resolve the Navajo 
Nation's water rights. It will also provide a water supply for Gallup, 
New Mexico, and recognize authorized and existing uses of San Juan 
River basin water. In exchange for relinquishing some of their claims 
to water from the San Juan River basin, the Navajo Nation will benefit 
from water development projects which include the Navajo-Gallup project 
and the Navajo Nation Municipal pipeline. Incredibly, even now in 21st-
century America, more than 70,000 Navajos must still haul water daily 
for residential use. These water projects will go a long way toward 
rectifying that grievous situation.
  The Navajo Nation, the State of New Mexico and many other residents 
of northwestern New Mexico put a tremendous amount of effort into 
reaching an agreement that will provide a more secure future for many 
vulnerable communities. I am proud to be able to contribute today to 
their hard work and diligent commitment by introducing the legislation 
in the House. I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this 
legislation and move these important water projects forward.

                          ____________________