Ohkay Owingeh Rio Chama Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025

Sponsor: Teresa Leger Fernandez (Democratic-NM)February 13, 2025

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Introduced

In Committee

Passed One Chamber

Passed Both Chambers

Signed into Law

Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo would get $745 million to settle water rights and restore land in New Mexico.

This bill sets aside $745 million in federal funds. It also requires over $130 million from the State of New Mexico to pay for water infrastructure, land restoration, and water management projects. This would resolve long-standing legal disputes and provide resources for the Pueblo's future water needs.

What Would Change

Today, the Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo has ongoing legal claims regarding its water rights in the Rio Chama Stream System, and there is no dedicated federal funding for related water infrastructure or land restoration. After this bill, these water rights claims would be settled, and the Pueblo would receive $745 million in federal funds and over $130 million from the State of New Mexico to build and improve water systems, restore the bosque, and manage their water resources.

Key Provisions

Confirms the water rights of Ohkay Owingeh in the Rio Chama Stream System in New Mexico.
Sets aside $745,000,000 into a trust fund for Ohkay Owingeh, with adjustments for construction costs.
Requires the State of New Mexico to contribute $98,500,000 for irrigation ditch improvements, $32,000,000 for the City of Espanola's water system, and $500,000 for groundwater mitigation.
Lets Ohkay Owingeh use the trust fund for water infrastructure, bosque restoration, water management, and related environmental compliance.
Requires Ohkay Owingeh and the U.S. to waive certain past water rights claims in exchange for the settlement benefits.
Prevents the permanent sale of Ohkay Owingeh's water rights, but allows them to be leased for up to 99 years.

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HR 1323 · 119th Congress · February 13, 2025 · AI Summary by gemini-2.5-flash · 8/10

Ohkay Owingeh Rio Chama Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025

What Would Change

Key Provisions

Lobbying Activity