FLAGSTAFF — On Oct. 23, 2025, the Value Program Office of the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) will share the results of a value-planning-level study during a public meeting with the Flagstaff City Council. The study aimed to assist the City of Flagstaff (Flagstaff) and its Partners with identifying a resilient and redundant regional water solution. Reclamation will present the results in the Flagstaff City Council Chambers and the public is welcome to attend in person or listen online.
The Study comes after decades of work by Flagstaff, Reclamation, the Navajo Nation, and others in the region to identify water demand, supply shortages and long-term water needs. The City is also part of the Coconino Plateau Watershed Partnership, a regional organization with over 30 partners working to understand current and future regional water needs.
What is unique about the value planning work to be presented is the development of economies of scale through a regional water solution with a broader view of economic development and water management. Flagstaff’s substantial investment to someday develop groundwater from its Red Gap Ranch is central to the regional economic development solution. Flagstaff took part in an intensive planning workshop led by Reclamation and including the Navajo Nation to discuss water and power needs, economic development opportunities, and issues to be resolved through a regional water supply solution. The workshop culminates in this presentation of findings and recommendations.
Although independent, the value planning study is consistent with and complements the Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Agreement (NAIWRSA). The City is a party to NAIWRSA, which was executed by Governor Katie Hobbs on Nov. 19, 2024.
Should Reclamation initiate further federal investigations, this would follow letters of support from Senator Mark Kelly and Governor Katie Hobbs that were sent to the Commissioner for the United States Bureau of Reclamation in November 2024.
Reclamation will present results of the Study to the Flagstaff City Council in a joint public meeting with the Water Commission on Oct. 23, 2025, in City Council chambers and invites the public to attend or listen online.
For related questions, please contact City of Flagstaff City Attorney Sterling Solomon at SSolomon@flagstaffaz.gov.