Zuni Indian Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025
Zuni Indian Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025
Plain Language Summary
# Zuni Indian Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025 – Summary **What the Bill Does:** This bill would officially recognize and settle long-standing water rights disputes involving the Zuni Pueblo in New Mexico. It would approve a water rights agreement that grants the Zuni Tribe specific water rights from the Zuni River Stream System and establishes a settlement trust fund (with federal funding) to help the tribe manage these water resources. The bill also protects certain federal land in New Mexico from mining and mineral development, reserving it for specific purposes related to the Zuni settlement. **Who It Affects:** The bill primarily affects the Zuni Pueblo, a Native American tribe in New Mexico, as well as the state of New Mexico and potentially other water users in the region.
It involves federal land and resources, so it also affects the federal government and future mineral development plans in the area. **Current Status:** The bill (HR 1444) was introduced in the 119th Congress by Representative Gabe Vasquez (D-NM) and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been voted on by the full House of Representatives. No action has been taken since its introduction.
CRS Official Summary
Zuni Indian Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025This bill recognizes and settles certain water rights claims in New Mexico of the pueblo of Zuni and establishes and provides funding for a related settlement trust fund. It also requires federal actions related to the Zuni Salt Lake in New Mexico.Specifically, the bill authorizes, ratifies, and confirms a specified water rights settlement agreement entered into by Zuni, New Mexico, and others, thus satisfying claims to water rights in the Zuni River Stream System in New Mexico.The bill establishes and provides funding for the Zuni Tribe Settlement Trust Fund (and specified accounts) for purposes of carrying out this bill.Additionally, the bill (1) specifies the water rights of the pueblo; and (2) outlines waivers, releases, and retentions of claims by the pueblo and the United States.The bill also withdraws certain federal land in New Mexico from mineral development. The bill reserves this federal land for the following three purposes: (1) the protection of the Zuni Salt Lake and Sanctuary, (2) the protection of the quality and quantity of the Zuni Salt Lake's water supply, and (3) the protection of any cultural resources associated with the Zuni Salt Lake and Sanctuary. The Bureau of Land Management must manage this land.The Department of the Interior must take certain land surrounding the Zuni Salt Lake into trust for the benefit of Zuni.
Latest Action
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.