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Congress·Reported·S. 563

Sen. Heinrich Introduces Bill to Settle Ohkay Owingeh Water Rights with $745 Million for New Mexico Infrastructure

Ohkay Owingeh Rio Chama Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025

about 1 year ago·View on Congress.gov

Legislative Progress

Senate
House
President
Law

Key Points

  • This bill settles decades-old water rights disputes between the Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo, the State of New Mexico, and the federal government over the Rio Chama Stream System. The Pueblo's water rights will be held in trust by the United States and protected from loss through non-use.

    From policy text

    “The Pueblo Water Rights shall be held in trust by the United States on behalf of Ohkay Owingeh in accordance with the Agreement and this Act.”
    View in full text
  • The federal government would provide $745 million in mandatory funding for a new trust fund. The money can be used for water infrastructure, irrigation improvements, bosque restoration, watershed protection, and economic development on Pueblo land.

    From policy text

    “Out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer to the Secretary for deposit in the Trust Fund $745,000,000, to remain available until expended, withdrawn, or reverted to the general fund of the Treasury.”
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  • Up to $100 million can be spent immediately—before the full settlement takes effect—on urgent needs like restoring the riverside forest (bosque), fixing irrigation ditches, setting up a water management office, and acquiring water rights.

    From policy text

    “Notwithstanding paragraph (1), not more than $100,000,000 of the amounts deposited in the Trust Fund, including any investment earnings, including interest, earned on those amounts, shall be available to Ohkay Owingeh for the following uses on the date on which the amounts are deposited in the Trust Fund”
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  • New Mexico must contribute about $131 million: $98.5 million for ditch improvements benefiting both the Pueblo and neighboring farmers, $32 million for water system upgrades in the City of Española, and $500,000 to protect non-Pueblo groundwater users.

    From policy text

    “$98,500,000, as adjusted for inflation pursuant to the Agreement, for Signatory Acequias ditch improvements, projects, and other purposes described in the Agreement”
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  • In exchange for these benefits, the Pueblo and the United States (as trustee) agree to waive and release all past water rights claims and related lawsuits in the Rio Chama system. If the settlement isn't finalized by July 1, 2038, the entire deal expires and funds revert to the government.

    From policy text

    “This Act shall expire in any case in which the Secretary fails to publish a statement of findings under section 8 by not later than-- (A) July 1, 2038”
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Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

State Impacts

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Milestones

3 milestones3 actions
Mar 5, 2025Senate

Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

Feb 13, 2025Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.

Feb 13, 2025

Introduced in Senate

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

Upon funding appropriation

Up to $100 million becomes available for urgent Pueblo water and bosque restoration projects

The Pueblo can begin fixing irrigation systems, restoring the riverside forest, and setting up water management right away—before the full settlement is finalized.

Several years after enactment

Secretary of Interior publishes Enforceability Date in Federal Register

This is the trigger that makes the whole settlement official—all parties must have signed, the court must approve, and all funding must be deposited before this can happen. Full trust fund access begins for the Pueblo.

Related Bills

1 bill
H.R. 1323Identical bill

Ohkay Owingeh Rio Chama Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025

Feb 13 — Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Ohkay Owingeh Rio Chama Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025

Bill NumberS 563
Congress119th Congress
ChamberSenate
Latest ActionCommittee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(1)
D: 1

Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.