TUCSON, AZ — The Pascua Yaqui Tribe, along with U.S. Representative Greg Stanton, joined U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) leaders near Tucson, Arizona, to break ground on the Pascua Yaqui Wellness Center Water Distribution Project.
The project includes preparing and installing a mile-long nonpotable water distribution line that will supply water to sustain recreational and residential areas on tribal lands.
“In Arizona, water is life,” Stanton said. “And making sure we get the most out of every single drop is critical. That’s why I created the Arizona Environmental Infrastructure Authority. It’s a $250 million fund through the Army Corps to specifically help small, rural, and tribal communities address their water infrastructure needs.”
The project is mostly funded through the Section 595 Environmental Infrastructure Program, which provides 75 percent of the federal investment for critical water infrastructure projects addressing climate challenges such as extreme heat, prolonged drought, wildfires, and flash flooding.
“It’s an honor to be here in the great state of Arizona to celebrate this important milestone with the Pascua Yaqui Tribe and Congressman Stanton,” Colonel Andrew Baker, Commander of USACE Los Angeles District, said at the event. “Today, we break ground on a project that reflects true partnership and a shared commitment to this community’s future.”
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According to project officials, the effort is about more than infrastructure; it’s about sustainability, conservation, and improving quality of life for the Pascua Yaqui community.
“For a long time, I’ve seen our tribe building a future,” said Peter Yucupicio, Pascua Yaqui Tribe Vice Chairman. “A lot of that is associated with water. Without water in the desert, you can’t survive.”
When complete, the project will:
- Conserve drinking water by replacing nearly 50 acre-feet of potable water annually with nonpotable water for irrigation, preserving drinking water resources for community use
- Support community wellness by providing a reliable nonpotable water source for the Wellness Center and ballfields, ensuring recreational and health-focused facilities can thrive
- Promote sustainability by reducing strain on Tucson Water’s potable supply, supporting long-term water conservation goals for the tribe and region
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“I am honored to work with the Pascua Yaqui Tribe,” said Rick Arvey, Project Manager with the LA District’s Section 595 Program. “As a Project Manager, it’s especially rewarding to see this project come to life from conception to groundbreaking. Through the Section 595 Environmental Infrastructure Program, this project introduces a sustainable and environmentally responsible solution to providing more potable water to the tribe.”
In 2021, Congress expanded the existing environmental infrastructure program under the 2020 Water Resources Development Act to include Arizona. The program provides critical assistance to communities and tribal nations across Arizona to address their aging water and wastewater systems.
“I think the Corps of Engineers has been a great partner for us,” Yucupicio said. “They jumped in and helped us with funding. I’m extremely thankful to Congressman Stanton and the Corps of Engineers, Pima County, and the City of Tucson for helping the Pascua Yaqui people.”
