WASHINGTON­– The U.S. House of Representatives this week passed legislation cosponsored by Sens. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) and John McCain (R-AZ) to fully implement the White Mountain Apache Tribe Water Settlement. This agreement will authorize the Interior Department to use previously authorized funds to address unanticipated costs on the Miner Flat Dam project. This will pave the way for the dam’s completion, which is essential for the tribe to use its water. The legislation, which was previously passed by the Senate, will now be sent to the president’s desk for signature.

“In states like Arizona, water settlements are crucial to ensuring tribes receive the water rights they are entitled to while other water users are given the certainty they require,” said Flake. “I am pleased that my colleagues approved this common sense legislation, which helps to ensure settlement funds may be used by the tribe to best serve their people and improve their communities.”

“The federal government owes it to the White Mountain Apache Tribe to follow through on the commitment it made seven years ago to build the Miner Flat Dam,” said McCain. “This legislation would resolve the tribe’s claims to the Salt River in Arizona and pave the way for the completion of the Miner Flat Dam and Reservoir, which are key to protecting the Tribe’s at-risk water supply.”

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