Historic Water Rights Settlement Agreement between the Yavapai Apache Nation and Town of Camp Verde

The Agreement between the Town and the Yavapai-Apache Nation ("the Town's Agreement") is an attachment to the larger Settlement Agreement that is being introduced at the request of the Nation as legislation in the United States Congress. 

The Town’s Agreement will settle water rights claims between the Town of Camp Verde and the Yavapai-Apache Nation. In addition to establishing recognized water budgets that allow for responsible growth and water usage, the Town's Agreement outlines processes that will ensure cooperation in the development of long-term water resources between the parties. Notably, the Town's Agreement is specific to claims between the Town and the Nation, and does not settle claims by individual property owners in Camp Verde that may have their own water rights claims pending in the Gila River Adjudication. 

The ultimate enactment of the Town's Agreement will be subject to Congressional approval of the Nation’s larger Settlement Agreement. When approved by Congress and other parties, the larger Settlement Agreement will permanently resolve the Nation’s water rights claims in the Verde River Watershed. 

August 7, 2024 Regular Town Council Meeting:

Town of Camp Verde approved a monumental Water Rights Settlement Agreement with the Yavapai-Apache Nation. This historic agreement has been decades in the making, with negotiations spanning multiple generations of Town Council Members, Mayors, Tribal Chairs, and Tribal Council Members.

This landmark agreement, recommended for approval by the Town Staff and the Town’s water rights attorney, represents a significant milestone in our shared history. It not only settles long-standing water rights claims between the Town of Camp Verde and the Yavapai-Apache Nation but also paves the way for a future of responsible growth, sustainable water usage, and cooperation in developing long-term water resources.

Once approved by Congress and other parties, the larger Settlement Agreement will bring a permanent resolution to the Nation’s water rights claims in the Verde River Watershed. We are proud to stand alongside the Yavapai-Apache Nation in celebrating this historic achievement, which will ensure a brighter and more sustainable future for our community and the generations to come!