Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-NM)
Ohkay Owingeh Rio Chama Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025
A Democratic bill with 2 Democratic cosponsors · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill aims to settle water rights claims for the Ohkay Owingeh in the Rio Chama Stream System. It seeks to ratify an agreement between the Pueblo, the State of New Mexico, and other parties. The legislation establishes a Settlement Trust Fund to facilitate water rights implementation and bosque restoration. It also provides for the management, distribution, and leasing of Pueblo Water Rights. Funding is allocated through both federal and state contributions to achieve these goals.
Yes· 3 of 7
- Scored +8
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
The bill secures long-term water rights and provides significant funding for the Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo.
- Scored +6
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill funds the restoration and maintenance of the Rio Chama bosque and protects endangered species habitats.
- Scored +5
Does this invest in rural communities?
The bill funds water production, treatment, and delivery infrastructure essential for the Pueblo community.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Water Rights Security: The bill ensures that Pueblo Water Rights will not be lost through non-use, forfeiture, or abandonment (Section 5(b)).
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Water Rights Flexibility: The Ohkay Owingeh are authorized to allocate, distribute, and lease their water rights on Pueblo Land or, with Secretary approval, off Pueblo Land (Section 5(d)).
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Infrastructure and Environmental Support: The Settlement Trust Fund can be used for essential purposes including water production, treatment, and delivery infrastructure, as well as watershed and endangered species habitat protection (Section 6(g)).
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Economic and Community Development: Funds may be used for water-related Pueblo community welfare and economic development (Section 6(g)).
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Immediate Restoration Capabilities: Up to $100,000,000 of the Trust Fund can be used immediately for surface water and groundwater diversions to maintain and restore the Rio Chama bosque (Section 6(d)).
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State-Funded Local Improvements: The State is required to contribute funds for Signatory Acequias improvements and water system projects for the City of Espanola (Section 7(c)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Release of Legal Claims: As part of the settlement, Ohkay Owingeh and the United States must waive and release various claims regarding water rights and damages in the Rio Chama Stream System (Section 9(a)).
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Limitation on Water Rights Leasing: Leases for water rights used off Pueblo Land are subject to a maximum term of 99 years (Section 5(d)).
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Responsation for Costs: The Ohkay Owingeh are responsible for all operation, maintenance, and replacement costs of any project constructed using funds from the Trust Fund (Section 6(l)).
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Liability Risks for Restoration Projects: For any bosque restoration or improvement projects, the Pueblo must hold the United States free from damages caused by the construction or operation of those projects (Section 11(e)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill secures long-term water rights and provides significant funding for the Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The investment in water infrastructure and community welfare supports local economic stability. Would people in cities be better off under this? — The bill provides funding for water system improvement projects for the City of Espanola.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill funds the restoration and maintenance of the Rio Chama bosque and protects endangered species habitats. Does this invest in rural communities? — The bill funds water production, treatment, and delivery infrastructure essential for the Pueblo community.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to grow the economy? — The bill provides substantial funding for water infrastructure and community economic development for the Ohkay Owingeh.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill allows funds to be used for water-related Pueblo community welfare and economic development.
- 2/14/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/13/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Melanie StansburyDemocrat · New Mexico
Gabe VasquezDemocrat · New Mexico