Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt today signed agreements to complete final action on implementation of the Fort McDowell Indian Community Water Rights Act of 1990.
Clinton Pattea, President of the Fort McDowell Indian Community, joined Secretary Babbitt in signing the agreements at a ceremony held at the Interior Department. Also attending the ceremony was Ada Deer, Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs.
Under provisions of the Fort McDowell Indian Community Water Rights Settlement Act of 1990, and actions set forth by the signing today, the Community will receive a maximum annual diversion right of 36,350 acre-feet of water from the Verde River.
The agreement includes an increase in the Community's entitlement to Central Arizona Project (CAP) water, and a provision for storage of up to 3,000 acre-feet of water at the Salt River Project, behind Horseshoe or Bartlett Dams.
The Community, located in central Arizona near Phoenix, will increase the amount of its entitlement to CAP water from 4,300 to 18,233 acre-feet. In accordance with the Act, the Community may lease a portion of its water, and has signed an agreement with the City of Phoenix to lease 4,300 acre-feet of water annually.
John J. Duffy, Chairman of the Interior Department's Working Group on Indian Water Rights, said that today's action satisfies the tribe's federally reserved water rights.
