Luján, Heinrich, Leger Fernández Introduce Legislation to Fulfill Taos Pueblo Water Rights Settlement
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), along with U.S. Representative Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), introduced the Taos Pueblo Indian Water Rights Settlement Amendments Act, legislation that provides more funding, flexibility, and oversight to fulfill the Taos Pueblo Water Rights Settlement.
Specifically, the legislation updates the original 2010 Taos Pueblo Water Rights Settlement and establishes two new trust funds to help Taos Pueblo build and maintain groundwater and surface water infrastructure. Additionally, the legislation sets clear timelines for state and local partners to finish shared “Mutual-Benefit Projects,” and authorizes $367 million in new federal funding and contemplates an additional $54 million in state funding. Further, the legislation ensures that if other entities fail to deliver on projects, the Pueblo or the Bureau of Reclamation can step in to ensure completion and the parties can use interim mitigation.
“Water is a vital part of the federal trust responsibility,” said Luján. “Amending current law is vital to ensure Taos Pueblo has access to clean, safe, and reliable water. I’m proud to partner with Senator Heinrich and Representative Leger Fernández to introduce legislation to fulfill the Taos Pueblo Water Rights Settlementan and deliver much-needed water infrastructure. This legislation is vital to help us fulfill our trust responsibility and promote water security for Taos Pueblo.”
“The United States has a moral obligation to uphold its trust responsibility to Tribes and Pueblos. I’m proud to help introduce the Taos Pueblo Indian Water Rights Settlement Amendments Act to ensure the Pueblo can continue vital work to ensure reliable, safe drinking water — the foundation of a healthier, stronger community,” said Heinrich. “Delivering long-term water security to Tribes, Pueblos and to every community in New Mexico is absolutely essential, and I’m committed to that work.”
“The waters flowing from Taos mountain sustain culture, community, and life itself. The Pueblo has worked hard to fulfill its commitments under the 2010 settlement but costs and conditions have changed dramatically. Congress must respond so the Pueblo can finish the water projects that will benefit everyone who relies on these waters,” said Leger Fernández. “These amendments honor our trust responsibility so Taos Pueblo has the resources to build and maintain the water infrastructure their families and future generations deserve and realize the dream of water security—not just for the Pueblo, but for the entire Taos Valley.”
“Resolution of Tribal Water Rights is a high priority of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s administration,” said State Engineer Elizabeth Anderson. “This Taos settlement provides far-reaching benefits to Taos Pueblo and the surrounding communities, and we look forward to working with the Pueblo, the non-Pueblo parties and the federal government to ensure we make continued progress.”
“We would like to thank Senator Luján, Senator Heinrich, and Congresswoman Leger Fernández for introducing the Taos Pueblo Indian Water Rights Settlement Amendments Act of 2025. Their unwavering support for tribal sovereignty and self-sustainability, as embodied in this legislation, ensures the successful implementation of our Indian water rights settlement, and provides a secure future for our tribe and our non-Indian neighbors in the Taos Valley,” said Taos Pueblo Governor Edwin Concha.
Additional funding is needed for deep wells and pipelines – which provide a means for critically needed and sustainable groundwater development in the Taos Valley and are vital to implement the Settlement – due to multiple compounding factors beyond the control of settlement parties. These factors include delays in initiating environmental reviews, inflation, market volatility further increasing construction prices, updated hydrology information that has changed where wells can be located, and changing regulatory requirements for wells.
Full text of the bill is available here.
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