Bill Overview
Title: To amend the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 to make a technical correction to the Navajo Nation Water Resources Development Trust Fund, and for other purposes.
Description: This bill authorizes the deposit of specified interest payments for water rights settlements into the Navajo Nation Water Resources Development Trust Fund.
Sponsors: Rep. Leger Fernandez, Teresa [D-NM-3]
Target Audience
Population: People of the Navajo Nation and potentially surrounding communities
Estimated Size: 300000
- The bill pertains to the Navajo Nation, a Native American tribe.
- Water rights are essential for the wellbeing, health, and economic prosperity of the Navajo Nation.
- These funds directly relate to the development of water resources, which can improve living conditions and economic opportunities.
- Infrastructure development could indirectly benefit nearby communities by improving regional water systems.
Reasoning
- The Navajo Nation has a population of approximately 300,000 within the US; they are the primary beneficiaries of the water rights settlement.
- Water rights settlements can substantially impact the wellbeing of individuals, particularly those living in areas with limited water access.
- This policy directly impacts infrastructure and economic development, potentially improving living conditions over time.
- Not all Navajo people live on the reservation; therefore, some individuals will not be directly impacted, representing the variety in responses.
- The allotted budget will focus on immediate development priorities, affecting a small but significant part of the population in the initial years.
Simulated Interviews
Rancher (Arizona)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Access to reliable water is crucial for my horses and cattle.
- If the trust fund helps improve water infrastructure, it could increase my productivity and income.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Teacher (New Mexico)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Improved water resources can enhance the health and hygiene of students.
- I'm hopeful that better infrastructure will lead to better educational outcomes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Retired (Utah)
Age: 62 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Access to water is a constant issue; improving it would make daily life easier.
- I might not directly benefit initially, but it's crucial for younger generations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Engineer (California)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's interesting to see initiatives focused on tribal lands.
- I work indirectly with water technologies, but the policy doesn't affect me personally.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Healthcare Worker (Arizona)
Age: 52 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Better water access could reduce disease prevalence and improve patient health.
- There are still many challenges to address, but this is a step forward.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Student (New Mexico)
Age: 17 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 6.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm excited about the opportunities for sustainable development on the reservation.
- Learning about these policies is inspiring for my studies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Business Owner (Texas)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Improved water systems could indirectly boost my business as livelihoods improve.
- While I'm not directly impacted, it's a positive move.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Environmental Activist (Arizona)
Age: 28 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is a victory for Indigenous rights and environmental cause.
- I hope the funds are used efficiently for maximum impact.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Government Worker (New Mexico)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Supporting the Navajo Nation aligns with broader socio-economic goals.
- The funding level is a concern; it might need constant reassessment.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Researcher (Colorado)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm interested to see the policy impacts on Indigenous water rights and resource management.
- This might serve as a model for similar policies across other tribes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $1000000 (Low: $700000, High: $1500000)
Year 2: $1050000 (Low: $735000, High: $1575000)
Year 3: $1102500 (Low: $771750, High: $1653750)
Year 5: $1215500 (Low: $850850, High: $1879500)
Year 10: $1491800 (Low: $1044260, High: $2306200)
Year 100: $6000000 (Low: $4200000, High: $7800000)
Key Considerations
- The policy does not involve new federal spending but reallocates existing financial obligations.
- Administrative costs are minimal or absorbed within existing budgets.
- Potential long-term economic benefits include improved water access and regional economic growth.
- There might be unquantified social benefits related to improved health and quality of life from better water resources.