M&A helped to evaluate not only the Tribe’s current water portfolio but also potentially available resources in the context of quality, reliability, and availability over time. We quantified the economic- and policy-related tradeoffs associated with each portfolio component and constructed an economic optimization model to test the reliability and cost of various resource-acquisition scenarios. In addition, we recommended mechanisms for securing — or “firming” — supplemental water supplies for shortage periods; these mechanisms include storage and recovery as well as water exchanges. Our economic optimization model was key to developing these recommendations. Other related services include helping the Hopi Tribe implement the firming strategy, which requires agreements for the acquisition, underground storage, and future recovery and exchange of CAP water.

A senior M&A professional who specializes in Water Resource Policy & Economics provides expert advice to the tribal negotiating team on the economic, policy, and institutional factors affecting Hopi water-resource interests. Our work has entailed helping the Tribe evaluate a range of settlement proposals offered by multiple parties. We have prepared briefing papers on key settlement-related water issues and worked with a technical / financial subgroup to develop maps, white papers, and factual evaluations for the negotiating team.