Zuni Indian Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Vasquez, Gabe [D-NM-2]
Introduced
Summary
Final settlement and funding of the Zuni Tribe's water rights and protections for Zuni Salt Lake. The bill creates a trust fund and land protections, and directs the Secretary of the Interior to implement a negotiated agreement that defines Tribal water rights and related land actions.
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- Zuni Tribe and Tribal members: Confirms Tribal Water Rights held in trust and prevents loss by nonuse. Establishes a Zuni Tribe Settlement Trust Fund with a $50 million special allocation for planning, urgent groundwater needs, and water infrastructure.
- Allottees and local water users: Preserves reasonable domestic, stock, and irrigation uses on Allotments and ensures any Allottee water rights are not reduced by the settlement.
- Land, environment, and management: Withdraws federal land and sets a protective management regime for Zuni Salt Lake, allows transfers of specified land into trust, and requires environmental compliance under the Endangered Species Act and NEPA with many compliance costs paid from the Trust Fund.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Major funding for Zuni water projects
If enacted, the federal government would put $655.5 million into a water settlement account and $29.5 million into an operations account. $50 million would be available on the deposit date for planning, wells, urgent repairs, land or water purchases, and measurement plans. Money could be used only for listed water planning, construction, environmental work, and operations under an approved Tribal plan. Most environmental review costs would come from the Trust Fund; federal review and approval costs would stay with the government. Deposited amounts would be adjusted for construction cost changes from January 1, 2022 until the deposit date.
New protections for water use on Allotments
If enacted, water used on an Allotment would count against the Tribe’s water rights. Uses already in place would be recognized. Reasonable domestic, stock, and irrigation uses added later would also count. The Tribe would not object to quantifying those uses in court. Households on Allotments could have clearer, protected access to water.
New rules to lease Tribal water
If enacted, the Tribe could allocate and lease water rights on Zuni Lands. Using water off Zuni Lands would need the Secretary’s approval. Any off‑Zuni lease, including renewals, would be capped at 99 years. Tribal and later acquired state‑law water rights would be protected from forfeiture or abandonment. This could let the Tribe make long‑term water deals while safeguarding its rights.
State funds monitoring and neighbor relief
If enacted, the State would pay $750,000 to develop and run monitoring plans. It would also put $500,000 into an interest account to fix harm to non‑Indian domestic and livestock groundwater users. These payments would be required before the settlement can take effect. Rural homes and small ranches could get help if new Tribal use lowers their wells.
Settlement start date, waivers, and deadline
The settlement would start on the Enforceability Date, after the Secretary publishes six required findings. Those include court approval, deposits of all federal funds, State payments and a 99‑year lease law, and signed waivers. Time limits on listed claims would pause from enactment until that date. If the findings are not published by July 1, 2030, this title would expire. Some authorizations could be voided and unspent federal funds could return. The Tribe and United States would waive past Zuni River water claims as of that date; the Secretary could also approve Agreement changes that fit this title.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Vasquez, Gabe [D-NM-2]
NM • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Leger Fernandez, Teresa [D-NM-3]
NM • D
Sponsored 2/18/2025
Stansbury
NM • D
Sponsored 2/18/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov