Senator spoke with the Tribe about securing funding for Tribal Water Rights Settlements and law enforcement Building 86 replacement
WASHINGTON – Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema spoke with San Carlos Apache Chairman Terry Rambler to discuss water delivery challenges on the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation and the need for the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) to construct an adequate replacement for its law enforcement facility, Building 86.
“Glad to discuss some of the main issues facing the San Carlos Apache Tribe with Chairman Rambler. I’ll continue working with the Tribe and the Department of Interior to help secure the Tribe’s water future, while ensuring the Bureau of Indian Affairs follows through and resolves Public Safety and Justice infrastructure challenges on the Reservation,” said Sinema.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs condemned Building 86 in 2009, and the San Carlos Apache Tribe has been attempting to secure its replacement since. At present, Building 86 poses dangerous health conditions to the Reservation. During the discussion, Sinema pledged to work with BIA to ensure they make good on their promise to the San Carlos Apache Tribe and provide the necessary funds to construct an adequate replacement.
In this year’s annual budget law, Sinema successfully worked to include helpful provisions advancing Building 86 replacement.
Chairman Rambler also raised concerns about inadequate funds for water delivery. Sinema emphasized her work in securing historic funds for Tribal Water Rights Settlements in her bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs law, and said she would engage with the Department of the Interior to support the San Carlos Apache Tribe’s water future.