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Rio San José and Rio Jemez Water Settlement: Securing Water for Pueblos

This Act approves major water rights settlements for four Pueblos (Acoma, Laguna, Jemez, and Zia) in New Mexico, resolving decades-long legal disputes. It secures permanent, protected water rights for these communities and authorizes over $1.3 billion in federal funding for essential water infrastructure projects. This settlement aims to significantly improve water security and community welfare for the Pueblo nations.
Key points
Confirms permanent and protected water rights for the Pueblos, ensuring these rights cannot be lost due to non-use or abandonment.
Allocates over $1.3 billion into trust funds for building and maintaining critical water infrastructure, such as wells, treatment plants, and delivery systems for Pueblo communities.
Resolves complex, long-running water disputes, providing legal certainty for all water users in the Rio San José and Rio Jemez river systems.
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Introduced
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Additional Information
Print number: 119_S_562
Sponsor: Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM]
Process start date: 2025-02-13