What does Preamble of Zuni Indian Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025 do?

This bill aims to approve the settlement of water rights claims of the Zuni Indian Tribe The settlement involves the Zuni River Stream System in New Mexico The bill also aims to protect the Zuni Salt Lake

What does DEFINITIONS. of Zuni Indian Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025 do?

This section defines terms used throughout the Act. The 'Enforceability Date' is defined as the date described in section 109. The 'Secretary' refers to the Secretary of the Interior. The 'State' is defined as the State of New Mexico. “Tribal Water Rights” are defined as the water rights of the Zuni Tribe in the Zuni River Stream System, as identified in the Agreement and section 104, and confirmed in the Partial Final Judgment and Decree. Certain interests in allotments, specifically those patented under the Indian General Allotment Act or other authorities, are excluded from the definition of 'Tribal Water Rights'. The 'Tribe' is defined as the Zuni Tribe of the Zuni Reservation, a federally recognized Indian Tribe.

What does PURPOSES. of Zuni Indian Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025 do?

This title aims to settle claims to water rights in the Zuni River Stream System. It seeks to achieve a fair, equitable, and final settlement for the Tribe and the United States, acting as trustee for the Tribe. The title authorizes, ratifies, and confirms an agreement between the Tribe, the State, and other parties, provided it aligns with the title. The Secretary is authorized to execute the agreement and take actions to implement it. Funds are authorized for the implementation of the agreement and this title.

What does DEFINITIONS. of Zuni Indian Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025 do?

This section defines terms used in the title, including Adjudication, Agreement, Allotment, Allottee, Partial final judgment and decree, Trust fund, Zuni lands, and Zuni river stream system. The definitions are specific to the context of water rights and the Zuni Indian Tribe in the Zuni River Basin in New Mexico. The section provides detailed descriptions of each term, including references to specific documents, court cases, and geographic locations.

What does RATIFICATION OF AGREEMENT. of Zuni Indian Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025 do?

This section ratifies and confirms the Agreement, subject to modifications and limitations outlined in the title. Amendments to the Agreement, requiring the Secretary's signature, are also authorized, ratified, and confirmed if consistent with the title. The Secretary is authorized to execute the Agreement and its attachments, provided they do not conflict with the title. The Secretary can approve modifications to the Agreement consistent with the title, unless congressional approval is otherwise required. Implementation of the Agreement requires compliance with the Endangered Species Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, and other applicable federal environmental laws and regulations. The Tribe is responsible for preparing necessary environmental documents in compliance with the same environmental laws. The Secretary is responsible for independently evaluating the Tribe's environmental documentation and ensuring its accuracy and scope. The execution of the Agreement does not constitute a major federal action under NEPA. Costs associated with environmental compliance activities are to be paid from the Trust Fund, with certain costs remaining the Secretary's responsibility.

What does TRIBAL WATER RIGHTS. of Zuni Indian Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025 do?

The Tribal Water Rights are held in trust by the United States on behalf of the Tribe. The Tribal Water Rights are not subject to loss through non-use, forfeiture, abandonment, or other operation of law. The Tribe has authority to allocate, distribute, and lease the Tribal Water Rights for use on and off Zuni Lands. Any use of the Tribal Water Rights must be in accordance with the Agreement and applicable Federal law. The Tribe shall not permanently alienate any portion of the Tribal Water Rights.

What does SETTLEMENT TRUST FUND. of Zuni Indian Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025 do?

This section establishes the "Zuni Tribe Settlement Trust Fund" to be managed, invested, and distributed by the Secretary. The Trust Fund will consist of amounts deposited under section 106(a), investment earnings, and remain available until expended. The Trust Fund includes two accounts: the Zuni Tribe Water Rights Settlement Trust Account and the Zuni Tribe Operation, Maintenance, & Replacement Trust Account. The Secretary will manage the Trust Fund consistent with existing authorities related to American Indian trust fund management. Initially, $50,000,000 will be available for specific uses, including economic water development plans, environmental compliance, and groundwater well installation. The Tribe may withdraw funds from the Trust Fund through either a Tribal management plan (approved by the Secretary) or an expenditure plan (also approved by the Secretary). The Zuni Tribe Water Rights Settlement Trust Account is designated for water infrastructure projects, water acquisition, and related activities. The Zuni Tribe Operation, Maintenance, & Replacement Trust Account is for operation, maintenance, and replacement of water infrastructure. The Tribe is responsible for operation, maintenance, and replacement costs of projects funded by the Trust Fund. The Secretary and the Secretary of the Treasury are not liable for expenditures made by the Tribe from the Trust Fund.

What does FUNDING. of Zuni Indian Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025 do?

The Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer funds to the Secretary for deposit in two trust accounts. One trust account is for the Zuni Tribe Water Rights Settlement, with $655,500,000 to remain available until expended. The other trust account is for Zuni Tribe Operation, Maintenance, & Replacement, with $29,500,000 to remain available until expended. The appropriated amounts may be adjusted due to fluctuations in costs and construction cost changes. The State shall contribute $750,000 for monitoring plans and $500,000 to mitigate impairment to non-Indian domestic and livestock groundwater rights.

What does WAIVERS AND RELEASES OF CLAIMS. of Zuni Indian Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025 do?

This section outlines waivers and releases of claims by the Zuni Tribe and the United States, acting as trustee, as consideration for recognition of Tribal Water Rights and other benefits. The Tribe waives claims related to water rights within the Zuni River Stream System asserted or that could have been asserted before a specified Enforceability Date, with exceptions outlined in subsection (d). The Tribe also waives claims against the United States for water rights, foregone benefits, damages, and failures related to water delivery systems, irrigation projects, and dam safety within the Zuni River Stream System, all arising before the Enforceability Date. Certain claims are specifically reserved, including those related to the enforcement of water rights recognized under the Agreement, activities affecting water quality, and rights acquired after the Act's enactment. The waivers and releases become effective on the Enforceability Date. The Agreement and this title do not reduce governmental sovereignty or affect the United States' ability to carry out activities authorized by law. Periods of limitation relating to claims described in this section are tolled until the Enforceability Date. This title expires if the Secretary fails to publish findings by July 1, 2030, or an agreed-upon later date, leading to the expiration of waivers and releases and other consequences.

What does SATISFACTION OF CLAIMS. of Zuni Indian Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025 do?

This section addresses satisfaction of claims under this title Benefits provided replace and substitute for claims against the US Claims must be waived and released by the Tribe pursuant to section 107(b)

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Zuni Indian Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025

Last updated: 2/18/2025 · Introduced: 2/18/2025

Author: Gabe Vasquez (D-NM)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill settles water rights claims of the Zuni Indian Tribe within the Zuni River Stream System in New Mexico, aiming for a fair and final resolution.
It establishes a $663.5 million Zuni Tribe Settlement Trust Fund, managed by the Secretary of the Treasury, to finance water infrastructure projects, environmental compliance, and related activities.
The bill ratifies an agreement between the Tribe, the State of New Mexico, and other parties, authorizing amendments consistent with the Act and requiring compliance with environmental laws.
It grants the Zuni Tribe authority to allocate, distribute, and lease their water rights, while ensuring these rights are held in trust by the United States and are not lost through non-use.
Approximately 92,364 acres of federal land in New Mexico are withdrawn to protect the Zuni Salt Lake and Sanctuary, restricting activities like new well drilling and timber sales.

119th Congressin committeeS. 564(In Committee)Official page

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Other Sections

Includes provisions on preamble, definitions..

2 sections

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TITLE I

-ZUNI INDIAN TRIBE WATER RIGHTS SETTLEMENT

12 sections

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TITLE II

-ZUNI SALT LAKE AND SANCTUARY PROTECTION

5 sections

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