GALLUP, N.M. — Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer joined New Mexico Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), City of Gallup Mayor Louie Bonaguidi, and officials with the U.S. Department of the Interior and Bureau of Reclamation for a site visit Nov. 23 for the Navajo Gallup Water Supply Project that is currently under construction and delivering much-need water resources for Navajo families in the state of New Mexico.
“Water is life and the Navajo Gallup Water Supply Project is essential to delivering clean water to thousands of our Navajo people. This project is bringing water infrastructure to more and more homes as construction continues. We thank our congressional delegation, including Congresswoman Leger Fernández for championing this effort and continuing to support more funding for water needs in our communities. Together, we are making progress for our people through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which will also fund the Navajo Utah Water Rights Settlement,” Nez said.
Leger Fernández advocated for investments in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act for water infrastructure, including the Navajo Gallup Water Supply Project. On Nov. 15, Nez and Leger Fernández joined President Joe Biden at the White House for the signing of the infrastructure bill, which also included $2.5 billion to fully fund existing Indian Water Rights Settlements.
“New Mexicans have always recognized the fragility of our water resource. We must protect it from threats like climate change and drought. We know that without it we cannot have safe schools, thriving businesses, successful farmers and ranchers, and a vibrant community. That’s why I’m proud to have helped secure funding in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act for the Indian Water Rights Settlement Fund that funds the Navajo Gallup Water Supply Project,” Leger Fernández said. “This funding will get us one step closer toward completing this project. I’m committed to continuing to work with all of the partners of the project to ensure that it receives the financial support it needs to cross the finish line.”
Leger Fernández also played an instrumental role in securing $67 million in funding for the Navajo Gallup Water Supply Project in this year’s House passed appropriations bill, which is also supported by Nez and Lizer.
“We are very thankful to Congresswoman Leger Fernández, Gallup Mayor Bonaguidi, and our federal partners for meeting with us on a consistent basis to ensure that the Navajo Gallup Water Supply Project is completed successfully. We look forward to the next phase of the project that will deliver even more water to our Navajo communities west of the current construction sites. Water infrastructure is essential to elevating the quality of life and creating more economic opportunities for our Navajo people,” Lizer said.
New Mexico State Rep. D. Wonda Johnson, D-Dist. 5, was also in attendance to offer her support for the project. She stated, “It is amazing to see the Navajo Gallup Water Supply Project making progress. 40 years of work in the making by many people from many different entities is finally coming to fruition. This reliable supply of water is so important to our communities in Gallup and our surrounding Navajo communities. Water is one of five most precious elements of nature, so precious we cannot survive more than a few days without it. Our constituents are grateful for this good news."
Nez previously visited the Navajo Gallup Water Supply Project’s Cutter Lateral Water Treatment Plant, located in Dzil Na Oodilii, N.M., which will facilitate the delivery of clean water to rural Navajo communities and the Jicarilla Apache Nation. The Cutter Lateral is one of two major water pipelines being developed as a result of the San Juan River Water Rights Settlement between the Navajo Nation and the state of New Mexico.
