* **Overall Bill:** This bill approves a settlement of water rights claims for the Zuni Indian Tribe in New Mexico, protects the Zuni Salt Lake, and transfers federal lands into trust for the Tribe. * **Title I:** Resolves water rights claims for the Zuni Indian Tribe within the Zuni River Stream System by ratifying an agreement, establishing a trust fund, and requiring waivers of certain claims. * **Title II:** Protects the Zuni Salt Lake and Sanctuary by withdrawing federal lands from certain uses and transferring other lands into trust for the Zuni Tribe.
Martin Heinrich
Senator
NM
This bill settles water rights claims of the Zuni Indian Tribe in New Mexico's Zuni River Stream System and safeguards the Zuni Salt Lake by establishing trust funds, clarifying water rights, and withdrawing federal lands from certain uses. It aims to resolve disputes, improve water infrastructure for the Tribe, and protect culturally significant areas, ensuring the Zuni Tribe has control over key lands and resources. The bill also defines land management practices and protects existing water rights of individual Native American landholders.
Zuni Tribe Water Rights Secured, Sacred Salt Lake Protected in New Bill
This bill, split into two titles, does some pretty significant things for the Zuni Indian Tribe in New Mexico. It tackles both water rights and the protection of a sacred site, the Zuni Salt Lake. Let's break it down:
Title I: Zuni Indian Tribe Water Rights Settlement - Finally, Some Clarity
This part settles a long-standing dispute over water rights in the Zuni River Stream System. The bill officially approves an agreement that the Zuni Tribe, the state of New Mexico, and other parties already worked out. Think of it like this: everyone's been arguing over the water, and this bill makes the agreed-upon solution legally binding. The Secretary of the Interior is now directed to make it happen and get the funds allocated. A big piece of this is setting up a trust fund specifically for the Zuni Tribe's water rights, with $655,500,000 going into the Zuni Tribe Water Rights Settlement Trust Account and another $29,500,000 into the Zuni Tribe Operation, Maintenance, Replacement Trust Account. (Title I, Sections 104 & 105). This means the Tribe will have dedicated resources to manage their water, build or fix infrastructure, and generally ensure they have what they need. Importantly, individual Native American landowners (Allottees) within the area also have their water rights protected and clarified, separate from the Tribe's rights (Title I, Section 107).
Title II: Zuni Salt Lake and Sanctuary Protection - Keeping it Sacred
The second part of the bill is all about protecting the Zuni Salt Lake and Sanctuary. It's not just any lake; it's a hugely important cultural and spiritual site for the Zuni Tribe. To safeguard it, the bill withdraws about 92,364 acres of federal land around the lake from things like mining, mineral leasing, and disposal under land laws (Title II, Section 203). This means no new mining claims, no selling off the land – it's locked down for protection. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will still manage the withdrawn land, but they have to consult with the Zuni Tribe on how to do it. Think of it like a shared responsibility, but with the Tribe having a major say in what happens. The bill also restricts things like motor vehicle use off designated roads, new water wells, and increased grazing on this withdrawn land (Title II, Section 203(b)). The goal is to keep the area as pristine as possible.
Beyond just withdrawing land, the bill transfers other specific federal lands (the "Tribal Acquisition Area" – see the map referenced in the bill) into trust for the Zuni Tribe (Title II, Section 204). This gives the Tribe direct control over these lands, subject to any existing rights (like easements). The Secretary of the Interior has to create official maps and legal descriptions of all this, so everyone knows exactly what land is involved (Title II, Section 205). This bill represents a step towards righting historical wrongs, while preserving a vital part of the Zuni Tribe's heritage.