I find it very difficult, knowing the current funding constraints we face in Congress, to fund these Indian water rights settlements solely through discretionary spending.

I believe we can find common ground on these important issues.

The CSKT settlement from the last Congress will possibly cost more than $2 billion.

The importance of these settlements to providing certainty to both Indian and non-Indian communities cannot be overstated, particularly when climate change and drought threaten water supplies throughout the West.

This Administration and Congress have said they are committed to Indian water rights settlements versus costly litigation. However, we need that commitment tied to a true financial commitment.

Moving on to my bill, S. 3168 would permanently extend the Reclamation Water Settlements Fund in order to meet our trust responsibility to Indian Country.

water is for fighting

we are trying to bring certainty, as Mr. Tubbs said, to the process

The Navajo Utah legislation will cost upwards of $200 million.

The repeal of this law, which does not apply to State lands, would remove needless barriers to economic development in Indian Country and provide parity for tribes.

The Hualapai settlement will also end up somewhere in that range.

Climate change can have dramatic impacts on everything from water, forests to wildlife, all of which do not follow land management boundaries.