An Act to Provide for the Settlement of the Water Rights Claims of the Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe in Yavapai County, AZ, and for Other Purposes

Federal Legislation: An Act To Provide for the Settlement of the Water Rights Claims of the Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe in Yavapai County, Arizona, and for Other Purposes, P.L. 103-434, 108 Stat. 4526 (Oct. 31, 1994. Parties: Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe, AZ, Prescott, Chino Valley Irrigation District & US. Title I of the Act is the Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 1994, which ratifies the Settlement Agreement entered into by the Tribe, AZ, US, Prescott, and the Chino Valley Irrigation District. It provides for the settlement of all water between and among the parties. The Secretary is authorized to acquire the Central AZ Project contract from the Tribe and its subcontract from Prescott in exchange for funds appropriated to the Verde River Basin Water Fund for the development and maintenance of facilities for on-reservation water or effluent use and payment for water services provided under the Water Services Agreement. The Tribe and Prescott are required to establish trust accounts. Appropriations are authorized for the Tribe's settlement costs ($200K) and operating the gauging station required by this Act. The Tribe shall establish a Reservation groundwater management plan. The U.S. Geological Survey shall establish and maintain a specified gauging station to assist the Tribe and the District to allocate certain surface water. AZ will contribute $200K to the Tribe's trust account. The Tribe is a claimant in the Gila River General Adjudication. [Source: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/STATUTE-108/pdf/STATUTE-108-Pg4526.pdf]