# Colorado River Indian Tribes Water Resiliency Act of 2022

This bill gives the Colorado River Indian Tribes more control over their water rights and helps them manage water more effectively in the face of drought and climate change. The Colorado River is one of the most important water sources in the American West, supplying water to millions of people across seven states and Mexico. The Colorado River Indian Tribes, who live along the river in Arizona, have historically had guaranteed water rights, but this bill strengthens their ability to use that water in flexible ways and participate in solutions to the region's ongoing water shortage.

Specifically, the bill allows the tribes to store water, trade water with other users, and invest in water conservation projects without losing their water rights. It also provides funding and support for the tribes to develop water infrastructure and participate in regional water management discussions. This is important because the Colorado River has been shrinking due to drought and climate change, forcing all users—states, cities, farms, and tribes—to find ways to use less water. By giving the tribes more flexibility, the bill helps them adapt to these changes while protecting their long-term water security.

The practical effect is that the Colorado River Indian Tribes gain a stronger seat at the table in regional water negotiations and can make their own decisions about how to use their water allocation. They might choose to conserve water during dry years, sell or trade excess water to other communities, or invest in modern irrigation systems that waste less water. This benefits the tribes economically and helps the entire Colorado River region manage its water crisis more effectively. For other water users in the region, having the tribes as active participants in conservation efforts helps ensure there's enough water for everyone.

Colorado River Indian Tribes Water Resiliency Act of 2022

Kelly, Mark

Colorado River Indian Tribes Water Resiliency Act of 2021 This bill authorizes the Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) to enter into an agreement or option to lease or exchange a portion of the consumptive use of water to be used off the tribe's reservation if the use off the reservation is located in the Lower Basin in the state of Arizona. The CRIT is authorized to enter into an agreement, including with the Arizona Water Banking Authority, for the storage of a portion of the consumptive use, or the water received under an exchange pursuant to an exchange agreement under this bill, at one or more underground storage facilities or groundwater savings facilities off the reservation if the facility is located in the Lower Basin. The Department of the Interior, when approving a lease or exchange or storage agreement, must ensure that such agreement complies with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and other federal environmental laws.