The bill would approve two water-rights settlement agreements in New Mexico: one involving the Pueblos of Acoma and Laguna, and another involving the Pueblos of Jemez and Zia. It would recognize the Pueblos’ water rights, create settlement trust funds, and support water projects and related work. The settlements would also release certain past claims when required conditions are met. Those conditions include court approval, deposit of the required funds, and state actions. The bill is in progress and has been ordered reported favorably by the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs.
The bill mainly concerns the four Pueblos and other parties to the settlement agreements, including some local water users and irrigation groups. It would let the Pueblos manage, use, and lease recognized water rights under stated rules. Funding could support water infrastructure, irrigation, watershed work, and other listed purposes. The funds could not be paid directly to Pueblo members on a per-person basis.
The bill directs $1.34 billion in federal funds to settlement trust funds: $850 million for the Acoma and Laguna settlement and $490 million for the Jemez and Zia settlement. It also calls for state contributions totaling $56.059 million. These amounts may be adjusted for inflation and construction costs. The text does not give a final adjusted total.
No publicly available information.
No publicly available information.