U.S. Senate Okays Taos Pueblo water right settlement

Taos Pueblo Indian Water Rights Settlement Act, also knows as the Abeyta Settlement, was included in legislation approved by the U.S. Senate, Friday (Nov. 19). The settlement is an agreement between interested water rights owners to settle water disputes in the Taos Valley that began 40 years ago. The House of Representatives already approved a similar bill sponsored by Rep. Ben Ray Luján in January, but it must now vote on the bill that passed the Senate on Friday. Jude McCartin, a spokesman for Sen. Jeff Bingaman’s office, explained that Luján’s bill only authorized the settlement but did not provide any funding. “This bill is different in that it not only authorizes, it also finances the settlement,” McCartin said. McCartin said Bingaman’s office was hopeful that the bill would go to a vote before the new Congress takes over next year. If not, she said it would have to be reintroduced and put to a vote in the new Congress. Palemon Martínez of the Taos Valley Acequia Association — one of many parties represented in the settlement — said the Senate’s approval puts the settlement one step closer to finalizing what has been a long process. Martínez’ organization resurrected talks with the Pueblo in 1989 to find a solution to long-standing disagreements over water rights.“ According to a joint release from Bingaman and Sen. Tom Udall, the legislation would initially provide $66 million to purchase water rights and construct a number of projects to help improve water-use efficiency, groundwater management, and water quality in the Taos Valley. Another $58 million in future federal spending is also authorized in the bill, and the state is expected to contribute an additional $20 million. In addition to the Abeyta case, the bill passed Friday includes water rights claims of the Nambe, Pojoaque, San Ildefonso and Tesuque pueblos. The legislation also authorizes $180 million to implement a Navajo settlement enacted last year...more