Tule River Tribe Water Settlement: Water Rights, Funding, and Land Transfer.
This Act approves a final settlement of the Tule River Tribe's water rights claims in California, granting the Tribe a permanent right to 5,828 acre-feet of water annually. It establishes stability in regional water management and authorizes over $568 million in a trust fund for water development and infrastructure maintenance projects. In exchange for these benefits, the Tribe waives all past water rights claims, resolving long-standing disputes and providing legal certainty for downstream water users.
Key points
Confirmation of Tribal Water Right: The Tule River Tribe receives a permanent, non-forfeitable right to 5,828 acre-feet per year of surface water from the South Fork Tule River, ensuring water security for the Reservation.
Water Infrastructure Funding: Establishment of a Trust Fund totaling $568 million (subject to cost adjustments) for planning, designing, and constructing Water Development Projects and covering operation, maintenance, and replacement (OM&R) costs on the Reservation.
Land Transfer into Trust: Approximately 10,800 acres of land (including Bureau of Land Management, Forest Service, and Tribally owned fee lands) will be taken into trust for the benefit of the Tribe, expanding the Reservation.
Waiver of Claims: The Tribe waives all past claims against the United States and other entities in California related to water rights and associated damages, providing a final resolution to the dispute.
Gaming Restriction: Lands transferred into trust under this Act are explicitly prohibited from being used for Class II or Class III gaming activities.
Expired
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