RAPID CITY, S.D. – Tribal leaders across the country are raising concerns about a growing number of proposed data center projects near Native lands, citing potential impacts on water resources, the environment, and tribal sovereignty.
One of the latest disputes is unfolding in Page, Arizona, where city officials approved the sale of a 500-acre parcel for a planned one-gigawatt data center near the popular Horseshoe Bend landmark. The proposed project borders the LeChee Chapter of the Navajo Nation, whose leaders have formally opposed the development.
Residents and tribal officials say they are concerned about the large amounts of water data centers can require for cooling, particularly as drought conditions continue across the Southwest.
The debate comes as demand for artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure fuels rapid expansion of data centers nationwide. While some tribes and communities have opposed or restricted new projects, others are exploring partnerships that could bring jobs and economic development.
Experts say tribal nations are increasingly weighing the potential economic benefits against concerns over water use, environmental impacts, and long-term control of their lands as data center development continues to grow across the country.
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