Navajo Nation Rio San José Stream System Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025
Navajo Nation Rio San José Stream System Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025
Plain Language Summary
# Summary: Navajo Nation Rio San José Stream System Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025 **What the Bill Does** This proposed legislation would settle a long-standing dispute over water rights in New Mexico's Rio San José Stream System between the Navajo Nation, the state of New Mexico, and other parties. If passed, the bill would officially recognize and confirm a water rights agreement that has already been negotiated by these parties. The bill also creates a special trust fund to provide money for implementing the settlement and allows the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project to expand its service areas. **Who It Affects** The bill primarily affects the Navajo Nation, a federally recognized tribe with reservation lands in New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah.
It also impacts the state of New Mexico and other water users in the Rio San José area. The settlement would resolve competing claims to water resources that have been contested for years. **Current Status** The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives by Representative Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-NM) and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been debated or voted on by the full House.
CRS Official Summary
Navajo Nation Rio San José Stream System Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025This bill recognizes and settles certain water rights claims in New Mexico of the Navajo Nation. It also establishes and provides funding for a settlement trust fund.Specifically, the bill authorizes, ratifies, and confirms a specified water rights settlement agreement entered into by the Navajo Nation, New Mexico, and others, thus satisfying claims to water rights in the Rio San José Stream System in New Mexico.The bill establishes and provides funding for the Navajo Nation Rio San José Water Rights Settlement Trust Fund (and specified accounts) for purposes of carrying out this bill.Additionally, the bill (1) specifies the water rights of the tribe; and (2) outlines waivers, releases, and retentions of claims by the tribe and the United States.The bill also allows for additional service areas for the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project.
Latest Action
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.