Ohkay Owingeh Rio Chama Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025

This bill settles water rights for the Pueblo of Ohkay Owingeh in the Rio Chama area of New Mexico, approves a settlement agreement, and directs the federal government to carry it out. It creates a large fund to pay for clean drinking water and wastewater systems, farm and irrigation upgrades, buying water rights, and restoring the river’s bosque (riverside forest).

It clarifies that the Pueblo’s water rights are held in trust, cannot be lost for not using them, and can be leased on and off Pueblo land (with federal approval) for up to 99 years. Up to $100 million is available right away for urgent bosque work, acequia ditch upgrades that also serve non‑Indians, setting up a water rights office, buying water rights, and planning and construction. Most funding and actions take effect only after a court approves the deal, all funds are deposited, New Mexico allows the 99‑year leases, and the parties sign the settlement papers. If these steps aren’t finished by July 1, 2038, the act ends and the deal unwinds.

• Who is affected
  • Members of Ohkay Owingeh; local farmers and acequia users on Pueblo land; residents in the City of Española; and nearby non‑Pueblo well owners for home and livestock use; plus the Rio Chama community and its bosque.
• What changes
  • A $745 million federal fund (adjusted for costs) is created for water and habitat projects. The state adds $98.5 million for acequia projects, $32 million for Española’s water system, and $500,000 to protect non‑Pueblo wells. The Pueblo can lease water rights for up to 99 years, and those rights aren’t lost if not used. As part of the settlement, older water‑related claims are given up, while keeping the right to enforce the new rights and bring water‑quality claims.
• When
  • Up to $100 million is available immediately after deposit for urgent work; most actions start after court approval, funding deposits, and the state law change; the act expires if these steps aren’t completed by July 1, 2038.