Sponsors (2)
The bill trades a legally certain, funded settlement and major water-restoration and infrastructure investments for Ohkay Owingeh (and related environmental and governance benefits) in exchange for broad tribal waivers, substantial federal/state spending, reduced flexibility for other water users, and new administrative and legal constraints that shift risks onto both the tribe and public budgets.
Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo receives a final, statutory confirmation and clarification of its Rio Chama water rights and a judicially-backed settlement, giving the tribe legally certain control over those waters.
A Trust Fund and designated federal deposits (including large, specific project deposits) provide substantial, dedicated funding to implement the settlement, restoration, and water projects for the Pueblo and basin communities.
The bill directs major infrastructure, restoration, and public-health investments (e.g., up to $100M for bosque restoration, water-treatment and delivery projects, plus $745M for basin infrastructure) that will improve water supply, quality, and irrigation systems for the Pueblo and local users.
Ohkay Owingeh must waive a broad set of historical claims (damages, lost uses, trespass, infrastructure failures, etc.), which risks foreclosing future recovery if the settlement proves inadequate or harms persist.
The federal government (taxpayers) and participating states face substantial new spending obligations (including $745M for basin projects, Trust Fund deposits, and state matching payments), increasing federal and state fiscal exposure.
Confirming specific tribal water rights, enabling long (up to 99-year) off‑Pueblo leases, and embedding settlement terms in statute can reduce water availability and flexibility for existing local and municipal users (acequias, cities, farmers).
Based on analysis of 22 sections of legislative text.
Settles Ohkay Owingeh’s Rio Chama water-rights claims, creates a ~$745M Trust Fund, requires waivers of past claims, and authorizes water-rights management and leasing under federal oversight.
Introduced February 13, 2025 by Martin Heinrich · Last progress February 13, 2025
Provides a final settlement of Ohkay Owingeh’s water-rights claims in the Rio Chama Stream System by ratifying and directing implementation of a negotiated agreement, creating a federally held Trust Fund (about $745 million) to finance water projects and Pueblo needs, and requiring mutual waivers of prior claims. It confirms Pueblo water rights held in trust, authorizes specified leases and water management activities, sets environmental compliance rules, and makes the settlement effective only after certain funding, state actions, court approval, and executed waivers are in place.