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 settle long-standing water rights disputes involving the Zuni Pueblo in New Mexico. It formally recognizes and confirms a water rights agreement that gives the Zuni Tribe specific water allocations from the Zuni River Stream System. The bill also establishes a Settlement Trust Fund with federal money to help the Zuni Tribe manage and develop its water resources.
Additionally, it protects certain federal lands near Zuni Salt Lake from mining and mineral extraction. **Who It Affects:** The bill primarily affects the Zuni Pueblo (a Native American tribe in New Mexico), the state of New Mexico, and the federal government. It also impacts any parties involved in previous water rights disputes in the region, including other water users in the area. **Key Provisions:** The agreement settles water rights claims in the Zuni River system, establishes a funded trust account for the Tribe to use for water-related purposes, and withdraws specific federal lands from mineral development to protect them for conservation and other uses. **Current Status:** As of now, the bill is in committee and has not yet been voted on by the full Senate.
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
Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.