Vasquez Reintroduces New Mexico Tribal Water Rights Settlements
February 27, 2025
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (D-NM) and U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM) reintroduced the Zuni Indian Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act. The bill is co-sponsored by U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representatives Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) and Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.).
Vasquez and the New Mexico congressional delegation also introduced the Rio San José and Rio Jemez Water Settlements Act, Navajo Nation Rio San José Stream System Water Rights Settlement Act, and Ohkay Owingeh Rio Chama Water Rights Settlement Act to address tribal water needs across the state.
“Tribes are counting on the federal government to fulfill its treaty obligations, and I’m fully supportive of this package of water settlement legislation that must pass Congress,” said Vasquez. “Our Pueblo communities and surrounding rural farmers and small businesses need certainty in water flows and delivery and it’s past due that we pass this important legislation.”
The Zuni Indian Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act authorizes $685 million in federal funding to establish a trust for sustainable water management and infrastructure development. This funding upholds the federal government’s trust responsibility while protecting the sacred Zuni Salt Lake. The bill ratifies a settlement between the federal government, the State of New Mexico, and the Zuni Tribe, affirming the tribe’s water rights for irrigation, livestock, storage, domestic use, and other essential purposes.
Vasquez first introduced the bill in July 2024. Last year, Zuni Governor Arden Kucate testified before the House Natural Resources Committee, urging its immediate passage to protect the tribe’s water rights and sovereignty.
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