Audubon Supports Yavapai-Apache Nation Water Rights Settlement in Arizona

The Yavapai-Apache Nation Water Rights Settlement Act of 2026 has been introduced in Congress, and the National Audubon Society supports this important bill. 

Much of Audubon’s work focuses on finding solutions to benefit both people and birds. That is why we work with communities to improve water reliability, as well as restore and conserve habitat—which this bill advances. 

The Yavapai-Apache Nation and other parties in Arizona have come to a historic agreement with the settlement now before Congress. This settlement—when passed by Congress and signed by the President—will help ensure a reliable and sustainable water supply for the Yavapai-Apache Nation in north central Arizona’s iconic “Verde Valley.” It will also help preserve a healthy and flowing Verde River, support its precious habitat, and reduce reliance on groundwater.  

In a time of deep uncertainty on the Colorado River, we must deploy sound water management strategies to improve the reliability of the water sources we do have. The Yavapai-Apache Nation Water Rights Settlement certainly does this—by importing a new source of water into the Verde Valley to offset future pumping demands, providing new water budget caps for overall groundwater depletion for the Nation, Town of Camp Verde, City of Cottonwood, and Town of Clarkdale, and confirming an instream flow right for Yavapai-Apache Nation under state law that will help keep the river flowing. 

Audubon’s focus on birds means we also prioritize the protection of the habitat they need. Within the Verde Valley, we have identified four Important Bird Areas, all of which rely on healthy groundwater levels to sustain flowing rivers and streams and the rich plant life and wildlife they support. This settlement will also help sustain a portion of the Verde River downstream of the Yavapai-Apache Nation that was designated as a Wild and Scenic River by Congress in 1984.   

The settlement is the result of innovative and creative thinking from the Yavapai-Apache Nation, Salt River Project, the Town of Camp Verde, the City of Cottonwood, the Town of Clarkdale, and others. The settlement includes building a 60-mile water pipeline from C.C. Cragin Reservoir on the Mogollon Rim, north of Payson, increasing the capture of wastewater into sewer systems, boosting the use of reclaimed water, and the potential for regional water planning and collaboration among nearby municipalities and the Yavapai-Apache Nation.  

This settlement is a key milestone as Arizona works to improve its overall water security. 

It is long past due for the Yavapai-Apache Nation to have secure and reliable water supplies, and this settlement is a monumental step forward for their growing community. We hope Congress will support the passage of the settlement and the provision of approximately $1 billion to ensure the project is brought to completion.