Environmental Project

Supreme Court rules 5-4 against Navajo Nation in water rights case
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The U.S. Supreme Court ruled against the Navajo Nation in a Colorado River water dispute on Thursday. The case centered around the 1868 treaty that established the Navajo reservation. The Nation argued that the federal government breached its contract and failed to ensure there was adequate water for the Navajo people. The case particularly centered around Colorado River rights in Arizona. The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 against the Tribe with Justice Brett Kavanaugh writing the majority opinion and Justice Neil Gorsuch filing the dissenting opinion.
Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren said in a statement that, while the ruling is disappointing, it is encouraging that the ruling was 5-4.