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Zuni Water Rights Settlement: Funding Infrastructure and Protecting Salt Lake.

This Act approves the final settlement of water rights claims for the Zuni Tribe in New Mexico, resolving a major legal dispute. It allocates over $685 million in federal funds to the Tribe for developing and managing essential water infrastructure. Crucially, the legislation also withdraws federal land around the Zuni Salt Lake from mining and leasing to ensure its environmental and cultural preservation.
Key points
Funding: Over $685 million is deposited into a trust fund for the Zuni Tribe to construct, maintain, and manage water systems and infrastructure.
Environmental Protection: Approximately 92,000 acres of federal land within the Zuni Salt Lake Sanctuary are permanently withdrawn from mining and mineral leasing to protect water resources and cultural values.
Water Rights: The settlement confirms and secures the Tribe's water rights in the Zuni River Stream System, providing long-term certainty for water use in the region.
Waiver of Claims: The Zuni Tribe waives all past water rights claims against the US and other parties in exchange for the settlement benefits and recognized water rights.
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Additional Information
Print number: 118_HR_8951
Sponsor: Rep. Vasquez, Gabe [D-NM-2]
Process start date: 2024-07-08
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Summarized by: gemini-2.5-flash-preview-09-2025
Source data: api.congress.gov
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OFFICIAL LEGAL TITLE

Zuni Indian Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2024

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the official ID of this bill?

The official print number for this legislation is 118_HR_8951.

Which chamber initiated this legislation?

This legislation was initiated in the House of Representatives.

When did the legislative process begin?

The process officially started on 2024-07-08.

What are the main provisions?

Key points include:

  • Funding: Over $685 million is deposited into a trust fund for the Zuni Tribe to construct, maintain, and manage water systems and infrastructure.
  • Environmental Protection: Approximately 92,000 acres of federal land within the Zuni Salt Lake Sanctuary are permanently withdrawn from mining and mineral leasing to protect water resources and cultural values.
  • Water Rights: The settlement confirms and secures the Tribe's water rights in the Zuni River Stream System, providing long-term certainty for water use in the region.
  • Waiver of Claims: The Zuni Tribe waives all past water rights claims against the US and other parties in exchange for the settlement benefits and recognized water rights.
What is the specific legal status?

The current status is Expired.

Where can I read the full text of this legislation?

The full official text is available at: View full text

Who is the primary sponsor?

The primary sponsor is Rep. Vasquez, Gabe [D-NM-2].

What is the latest detailed status?

The latest detailed status is: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries.

Is this summary verified?

Yes. This content was analyzed by AI and verified by the Lustra Judge System on 2025-12-25.

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