The Navajo Nation kicked off another phase of the $870 million Navajo Gallup Water Supply Project in New Mexico.

The Eastern Navajo Waterline Project will provide water to more than 10,000 tribal members. It's part of the settlement that President Barack Obama signed into law last year.

"This has been talked about since the '60's and '70's," said Counselor Chapter President Samuel Sage, The Farmington Daily Times reported. "We grew up listening to the elderlies talking about it, and finally, finally, an agreement came."

The Eastern Navajo Waterline Project will cost $29 million.

Get the Story:
Navajo water project promises to deliver in two years (The Farmington Daily Times 4/13)
Thousands of Navajos to get running water for first time (KOB-TV 4/12)

Relevant Documents:
President Obama Remarks | STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT | BACKGROUND ON THE OMNIBUS PUBLIC LANDS MANAGEMENT ACT BILL SIGNING | Secretary Ken Salazar Remarks

Omnibus Lands Bill:
H.R.146 | S.22

Related Stories:
Survey work starts on major Navajo Nation water project (03/23)
Salazar signs Navajo water pipeline decision (10/1)
Announcement set for Navajo pipeline project (9/30)
Editorial: Much work left on Navajo water rights (06/10)
Navajo Nation celebrates water rights settlement (05/27)
Editorial: Water project benefits Navajo people (4/9)
Obama signs omnibus public lands bill into law (3/31)
Obama to sign omnibus public lands bill into law (3/30)
Tribal provisions included in omnibus lands bill (3/26)
Navajo Nation water rights settlement in Congress (02/17)