Matteo Renzi: “S. 222, authored by Senator Jon Kyl and identical to legislation introduced by me and Congressman J.D. Hayworth of…”

“S. 222, authored by Senator Jon Kyl and identical to legislation introduced by me and Congressman J.D. Hayworth of Arizona, would resolve water rights claims and litigation in the Little Colorado River basin. I would like to commend the commitment and persistence of Senator Kyl on this important settlement. I would also like to recognize the patience and perseverance of the Zuni Tribe. The Zuni Indian Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2003 would codify the settlement of the Zuni Indian Tribe's water rights for its religious lands in northeastern Arizona. Congress first recognized the importance of these lands in 1984 when it created the Zuni Heaven Reservation. While land issues were addressed in 1984, water rights remained in question until Sen. Kyl's intervention. Uncertainty existed in several of the rural towns upstream from the newly-created Zuni Heaven. These small communities upstream from this Reservation have now been fully-appropriated. A resolution was reached that avoided costly litigation.”