Water Loan Legislation Enacted For White Mountain Apache Tribe
On October 10, 2008 the President signed unanimously-approved Congressional legislation authorizing a federal loan to the White Mountain Apache Tribe for the planning and engineering of a dam and reservoir, designed to provide clean drinking water to members of the Tribe. Senate Bill 3128, the White Mountain Apache Tribe Rural Water System Loan Authorization Act, was introduced by U.S. Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) in June and passed unanimously by the Senate on Sept. 25 and the House on Sept. 29, 2008.
The White Mountain Apache Tribe is located on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation in eastern Arizona and has approximately 15,000 members. The majority of the reservation's residents currently receive drinking water from a small well field. Well water production has significantly decreased over the last few years, leading to drinking water shortages in the hot climate. In order to meet the needs of the Tribe's growing population, a new dam and reservoir known as the Miner Flat Project will be located on the reservation to provide a long-term solution to ensure an adequate drinking water supply.
The new legislation authorizes the Secretary of Interior to provide a $9.8 million federal loan to the White Mountain Apache Tribe for the Miner Flat Project, repayable over 25 years.
The text and history of the legislation may be found via govtrack.
