Secures water rights and sets aside $745 million for Ohkay Owingeh water projects in New Mexico.
This bill would approve a long-awaited agreement to settle water rights claims for the Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo in New Mexico's Rio Chama Stream System. It would set aside $745 million in federal funds for the Pueblo to build water infrastructure, restore riverbank forests, and manage their water rights. The State of New Mexico would also contribute over $130 million for local water improvements.
Currently, the Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo's water rights in the Rio Chama Stream System are part of an ongoing court case, leading to uncertainty and unresolved claims. If this bill passes, these claims would be settled, confirming the Pueblo's water rights and providing significant federal and state funding for water infrastructure, environmental restoration, and water management, bringing a final resolution to the dispute.
S 563 · 119th Congress · February 13, 2025 · AI Summary by gemini-2.5-flash · 10/10
Sign in to see your representatives' phone numbers