… Because the Hopi—along with the nearby Navajo and San Juan Southern Paiute—live in remote areas far from major population centers, residents rely on practical solutions to survive with limited access to water. … Now, after years of negotiations, the tribes are seeing their push for long-term solutions gain renewed momentum in Congress. The Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act, reintroduced this year with bipartisan support, would resolve decades of legal disputes and devote $5 billion to delivering Colorado River water to the region through a new pipeline, pumping stations and storage systems. … The state also stands to benefit. If passed, the settlement would give tribes the authority to release water to other users—flexibility that could help ease shortages during the ongoing drought. 

Other tribal water news:

• California WaterBlog: Bargaining for tribal water in California
• The Colorado Sun (Denver): The Southern Ute tribe has finally tapped into Animas-La Plata water. Why did it take 60 years?
• Times-Standard (Eureka, Calif.): Trinidad elects to explore new water supply; community members fear induced growth