Camp Verde City Council Considers Water Rights Deal With Yavapai-Apache Nation

The Camp Verde City Council is expected to consider approval of a water rights agreement with the Yavapai-Apache Nation at its regular meeting Aug. 7.

It is the result of years of negotiations and will finalize water claims between the city and the tribe over the Verde River watershed and allow for long-term water resource development.

“As the two largest local authorities that will impact growth and development in the Camp Verde area, it is important that the city and the nation work cooperatively to ensure appropriate development of water resources in the future,” said Camp Verde Mayor Dee Jenkins.

The agreement applies only to claims between the city and the nation and does not resolve disputes between landowners who may have pending claims under the Gila River adjudication process.

Officials say they want Camp Verde and the Yavapai-Apache Nation to develop responsibly while protecting the Verde River and the cultural and natural resources of the Verde Valley.

The city’s water rights attorney recommended approval of the settlement.

It is part of a larger water rights agreement between the Navajo Nation, the Hopi Tribe and the Southern San Juan Paiute Tribe.

A bill was introduced in Congress last week to finalize the $5 billion deal.