U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Two of U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich’s (D-N.M.) bills to approve the water rights claims of the Pueblos of Acoma, Jemez, Laguna and Zia are gaining momentum as both were featured during a recent legislative hearing in the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs.

Heinrich delivered remarks in support of his bills.

VIDEO: Heinrich Delivers Remarks In Support Bills To Approve Water Rights Settlements For Four Pueblos  [HD DOWNLOAD LINK HERE]

During the hearing, Sen. Heinrich expressed to the committee that “for more than a century, the United States has failed to protect the water rights of these four Pueblos”. Because of this failure, Heinrich noted

“The failure of the United States to ensure that these Pueblos could use the water they have always owned has reverberated through generations,” Heinrich said. “It has a direct impact on the well-being of pueblo members today. It’s long past time that we make this right.”

Sen. Heinrich introduced both pieces of legislation in September that would implement two fund-based water settlements: one between the Pueblos of Jemez and Zia, the United States, the State of New Mexico, and non-Tribal parties; and another between the Pueblos of Acoma and Laguna, the United States, the State of New Mexico, and non-Tribal parties. The settlements are strongly supported by all parties involved.

The Pueblos of Jemez and Zia Water Rights Settlement Act would approve the water rights claims of these respective Pueblos and other parties in a fund-based settlement for the Jemez River Stream.

The Pueblos of Acoma and Laguna Water Rights Settlement Act would approve the settlement of water rights claims of these respective Pueblos in the Rio San José Stream System in the State of New Mexico, and for other purposes.

U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) leads both companion bills in the U.S. House of Rep., which are both cosponsored by U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.). U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) is a cosponsor in the Senate.

During the hearing, Heinrich thanked Luján, a member of the committee, for his collaboration and leadership on advancing Tribal water rights since being elected to Congress.

An archived video of the full hearing and list of witness testimonies can be found here.