Rio San José and Rio Jemez Water Settlements Act of 2025

Settlement of Water Rights Claims: The bill achieves a fair, equitable, and final settlement of water rights issues for the Pueblos of Acoma, Laguna, Jemez, and Zia (Section 101; Section 201).

Protection Against Loss of Water Rights: Pueblo Water Rights will not be subject to loss through non-use, forfeiture, or abandonment (Section 104(b); Section 204(b)).

Authority Over Water Allocation: The Pueblos are granted the authority to allocate, distribute, and lease their water rights for use on Pueblo Land (Section 104(e); Section 204(d)).

Establishment of Settlement Trust Funds: Trust funds will be created to manage, invest, and distribute money for carrying out the settlements (Section 105; Section 205).

Funding for Water Infrastructure: Funds are allocated for water production, treatment, and delivery infrastructure, including domestic and municipal use (Section 105(h); Section 205(g)).

Mitigation of Groundwater Impact: The State is required to contribute funds to mitigate impairment to non-Pueblo domestic and livestock groundwater rights resulting from new Pueblo water use (Section 106(c)(3)).

Waiver and Release of Claims: The Pueblos must execute waivers and releases of various claims against the United States and other parties as part of the settlement (Section 108(a); Section 208(a)).

Requirement to Pay Environmental Compliance Costs: Costs for performing environmental compliance activities must be paid from the Pueblo Trust Funds, though the Secretary remains responsible for costs associated with Federal approval or review (Section 103(c)(4)).

Responsibility for Infrastructure Costs: All operation, maintenance, and replacement costs for any project constructed using the trust funds are the responsibility of the Pueblos (Section 105(m); Section 205(l)).

Expiration of the Title: If the Secretary fails to publish a statement of findings by July 1, 2030, the title expires, which could result in the expiration of waivers and the return of unexpended funds to the Federal Government (Section 107(g); Section 207(g)).