Senator highlighted the more than $13 billion investment in drought relief funding she secured in the last year
Sinema thanked GRIC Governor Lewis for offering 750,000 acre-feet of water conservation over the next three years and invited Colorado River Indian Tribes’ Chairwoman Flores to join her Water Advisory Council
PHOENIX – Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema spoke at the Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona Leaders’ 30 Basin Tribe Meeting about her work addressing the historic drought conditions facing the American West, including the more than $13 billion investment in drought relief funding she’s secured between the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs law and the Inflation Reduction law in the last year.
Sinema participated in a discussion moderated by Gila River Indian Community Governor Stephen Roe Lewis, who serves on Sinema’s Water Advisory Council, that highlighted the Senator’s work thus far and considered what else needs to be done to mitigate Western water insecurity.
“The health, safety, and economic security of Arizona tribal communities – and our entire state – depend on a strong and resilient water supply. I’m laser-focused on building broad coalitions of water stakeholders, like the inter-tribal leaders present today, to deliver relief for the short-term and develop solutions for the long-term,” said Sinema.
Sinema has been actively working with Arizona partners to identify solutions helping mitigate the impact of Western drought in Arizona. Sinema personally secured $4 billion in Western water drought resiliency during negotiations of the Inflation Reduction Act – ensuring the legislation included adequate climate resources to secure Arizona’s water and economic future. Following Sinema’s success, the Gila River Indian Community offered 750,000 acre-feet of water conservation over the next three years.
In October, Sinema convened her third Water Advisory Council meeting since its launch at the Hoover Dam in August. During her meeting, Sinema and members of the Council – including Governor Lewis – discussed next steps for new funding opportunities from the $4 billion investment in drought mitigation Sinema personally secured in the Inflation Reduction Act.
Between Sinema’s bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs law and the Inflation Reduction law she shaped, the Senator has secured more than $13 billion in drought relief and Western water funding.
The Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona (ITCA) has a nearly 40 year history of working with Tribes to assist with water policy, water advocacy, water systems training and technical assistance. As part of the work with Tribes, ITCA operates a small grant with the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) to host the ITCA Tribal Leaders’ Water Policy Council and Colorado River Roundtable meetings quarterly.