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Calendar No. 839
[Report No. 110–401]
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Mr. Bingaman (for himself and Mr. Domenici ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
Reported by Mr. Bingaman , with an amendment
Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic
To amend the Colorado River Storage Project Act and Public Law 87–483 to authorize the construction and rehabilitation of water infrastructure in Northwestern New Mexico, to authorize the use of the reclamation fund to fund the Reclamation Water Settlements Fund, to authorize the conveyance of certain Reclamation land and infrastructure, to authorize the Commissioner of Reclamation to provide for the delivery of water, and for other purposes.
This Act may be cited as the Northwestern New Mexico Rural Water Projects Act .
Table of Contents
The table of contents of this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
Sec. 3. Compliance with environmental laws.
TITLE I—Amendments to the Colorado River Storage Project Act and Public Law 87–483
Sec. 101. Amendments to the Colorado River Storage Project Act.
Sec. 102. Amendments to Public Law 87–483.
Sec. 103. Effect on Federal water law.
TITLE II—Reclamation Water Settlements Fund
Sec. 201. Reclamation Water Settlements Fund.
TITLE III—Northwestern New Mexico Rural Water Supply Project
Sec. 301. Purposes.
Sec. 302. Authorization of Northwestern New Mexico Rural Water Supply Project.
Sec. 303. Delivery and use of Northwestern New Mexico Rural Water Supply Project water.
Sec. 304. Project contracts.
Sec. 305. Use of Navajo Nation Municipal Pipeline.
Sec. 306. Authorization of conjunctive use wells.
Sec. 307. San Juan River Navajo Irrigation Projects.
Sec. 308. Other irrigation projects.
Sec. 309. Authorization of appropriations.
TITLE IV—Navajo Nation water rights
Sec. 401. Agreement.
Sec. 402. Trust Fund.
Sec. 403. Waivers and releases.
The term means acre-feet per year.
The term means the agreement among the State of New Mexico, the Nation, and the United States setting forth a stipulated and binding agreement signed by the State of New Mexico and the Nation on April 19, 2005.
Animas-la Plata Project
The term has the meaning given the term in section 3 of Public Law 100–585 (102 Stat. 2973), including Ridges Basin Dam, Lake Nighthorse, the Pipeline, and any other features or modifications made pursuant to the Colorado Ute Settlement Act Amendments of 2000 (Public Law 106–554; 114 Stat. 2763A–258).
The term means the city of Gallup, New Mexico.
The term means the Upper Colorado River Basin Compact as consented to by the Act of April 6, 1949 (63 Stat. 31, chapter 48).
The term means the contract between the United States and the Nation setting forth certain commitments, rights, and obligations of the United States and the Nation, as described in paragraph 6.0 of the Agreement.
The term means the depletion of the flow of the San Juan River stream system in State of New Mexico by a particular use of water (including any depletion incident to the use) and represents the diversion from the stream system by the use, less return flows to the stream system from the use.
Draft Impact Statement
The term means the draft environmental impact statement prepared by the Bureau of Reclamation for the Project dated March 2007.
The term means the Reclamation Waters Settlements Fund established by section 201(a).
The term means the draft hydrologic determination entitled Water Availability from Navajo Reservoir and the Upper Colorado River Basin for Use in New Mexico, prepared by the Bureau of Reclamation pursuant to section 11 of the Act of June 13, 1962 (Public Law 87–483; 76 Stat. 99), and dated May 2006.
The term means the Navajo Nation, a body politic and federally-recognized Indian nation as provided for in section 101(2) of the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List of 1994 (25 U.S.C. 497a(2)), also known variously as the Navajo Tribe, the Navajo Tribe of Arizona, New Mexico & Utah, and the Navajo Tribe of Indians and other similar names, and includes all bands of Navajo Indians and chapters of the Navajo Nation.
Navajo Indian Irrigation Project
The term means the Navajo Indian irrigation project authorized by section 2 of Public Law 87–483 (76 Stat. 96).
The term means the reservoir created by the impoundment of the San Juan River at Navajo Dam, as authorized by the Act of April 11, 1956 (commonly known as the Colorado River Storage Project Act ) (43 U.S.C. 620 et seq.).
Navajo Nation Municipal Pipeline
The term means the pipeline used to convey the water of the Animas-La Plata Project of the Navajo Nation from the City of Farmington, New Mexico, to communities of the Navajo Nation located in close proximity to the San Juan River Valley in State of New Mexico (including the City of Shiprock), as authorized by section 15(b) of the Colorado Ute Indian Water Rights Settlement Act of 1988 (Public Law 100–585; 102 Stat. 2973; 114 Stat. 2763A–263).
Non-Navajo irrigation district
the Hammond Conservancy District;
the Bloomfield Irrigation District; and
any other community ditch organization in the San Juan River basin in State of New Mexico.
The term means the Northwestern New Mexico Rural Water Supply Project (commonly known as the Navajo-Gallup Pipeline Project ) authorized under section 302(a), as substantially described as the preferred alternative in the Draft Impact Statement.
The term means the City, the Nation, and the Jicarilla Apache Nation.
The term means the Resolution of the Upper Colorado River Commission entitled Use and Accounting of Upper Basin Water Supplied to the Lower Basin in New Mexico by the Proposed Project and dated June 17, 2003.
San Juan River Recovery Implementation Program
The term means the intergovernmental program established pursuant to the cooperative agreement dated October 21, 1992 (including any amendments to the program).
The term means the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Commissioner of Reclamation or any other designee.
The term means the general stream adjudication that is the subject of New Mexico v. United States, et al., No. 75–185 (11th Jud. Dist., San Juan County, New Mexico) (involving claims to waters of the San Juan River and the tributaries of that river).
The term means the Navajo Nation Water Resources Development Trust Fund established by section 402(a).
Compliance with environmental laws
Effect of execution of agreement
The execution of the Agreement under section 401(a)(2) shall not constitute a major Federal action under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).
Compliance with environmental laws
In carrying out this Act, the Secretary shall comply with each law of the Federal Government relating to the protection of the environment, including—
the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); and
the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
Amendments to the Colorado River Storage Project Act and Public Law 87–483
Amendments to the Colorado River Storage Project Act
Paragraph (2) of the first section of the Act of April 11, 1956 (commonly known as the Colorado River Storage Project Act ) (43 U.S.C. 620(2)) is amended by inserting the Northwestern New Mexico Rural Water Supply Project, after Fruitland Mesa, .
Navajo Reservoir water bank
The Act of April 11, 1956 (commonly known as the Colorado River Storage Project Act ) is amended—
by redesignating section 16 (43 U.S.C. 620o) as section 17; and
by inserting after section 15 (43 U.S.C. 620n) the following:
The Secretary of the Interior may create and operate within the available capacity of Navajo Reservoir a top water bank.
Water made available for the top water bank in accordance with subsections (c) and (d) shall not be subject to section 11 of Public Law 87–483 (76 Stat. 99).
The top water bank authorized under subsection (a) shall be operated in a manner that—
is consistent with applicable law; and
does not impair the ability of the Secretary of the Interior to deliver water under contracts entered into under—
Public Law 87–483 (76 Stat. 96); and
New Mexico State Engineer File Nos. 2847, 2848, 2849, and 2917.
The Secretary of the Interior, in cooperation with the State of New Mexico (acting through the Interstate Stream Commission), shall develop any terms and procedures for the storage, accounting, and release of water in the top water bank that are necessary to comply with subsection (c).
The terms and procedures developed under paragraph (1) shall include provisions requiring that—
the storage of banked water shall be subject to approval under State law by the New Mexico State Engineer to ensure that impairment of any existing water right does not occur, including storage of water under New Mexico State Engineer File No. 2849;
water in the top water bank be subject to evaporation and other losses during storage;
water in the top water bank be released for delivery to the owner or assigns of the banked water on request of the owner, subject to reasonable scheduling requirements for making the release; and
water in the top water bank be the first water spilled or released for flood control purposes in anticipation of a spill, on the condition that top water bank water shall not be released or included for purposes of calculating whether a release should occur for purposes of satisfying releases required under the San Juan River Recovery Implementation Program.
The Secretary of the Interior may charge fees to water users that use the top water bank in amounts sufficient to cover the costs incurred by the United States in administering the water bank.
Amendments to Public Law 87–483
Navajo Indian Irrigation Project
Public Law 87–483 (76 Stat. 96) is amended by striking section 2 and inserting the following:
In accordance with the Act of April 11, 1956 (commonly known as the Colorado River Storage Project Act ) (43 U.S.C. 620 et seq.), the Secretary of the Interior is authorized to construct, operate, and maintain the Navajo Indian Irrigation Project to provide irrigation water to a service area of not more than 110,630 acres of land.
Subject to paragraph (2), the average diversion by the Navajo Indian Irrigation Project from the Navajo Reservoir over any consecutive 10-year period shall be the lesser of—
508,000 acre-feet per year; or
the quantity of water necessary to supply an average depletion of 270,000 acre-feet per year.
The quantity of water diverted for any 1 year shall not be more than 15 percent of the average diversion determined under paragraph (1).
In addition to being used for irrigation, the water diverted by the Navajo Indian Irrigation Project under subsection (b) may be used within the area served by Navajo Indian Irrigation Project facilities for the following purposes:
Aquaculture purposes, including the rearing of fish in support of the San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program authorized by Public Law 106–392 (114 Stat. 1602).
Domestic, industrial, or commercial purposes relating to agricultural production and processing.
The generation of hydroelectric power as an incident to the diversion of water by the Navajo Indian Irrigation Project for authorized purposes.
The implementation of the alternate water source provisions described in subparagraph 9.2 of the agreement executed under section 401(a)(2) of the Northwestern New Mexico Rural Water Projects Act.
The Navajo Indian Irrigation Project water diverted under subsection (b) may be transferred to areas located within or outside the area served by Navajo Indian Irrigation Project facilities, and within or outside the boundaries of the Navajo Nation, for any beneficial use in accordance with—
the agreement executed under section 401(a)(2) of the Northwestern New Mexico Rural Water Projects Act;
the contract executed under section 304(a)(2)(B) of the Northwestern New Mexico Rural Water Projects Act; and
any other applicable law.
The Secretary may use the capacity of the Navajo Indian Irrigation Project works to convey water supplies for—
the Northwestern New Mexico Rural Water Supply Project under section 302 of the Northwestern New Mexico Rural Water Projects Act; or
other nonirrigation purposes authorized under subsection (c) or (d).
The Secretary shall not reallocate, or require repayment of, construction costs of the Navajo Indian Irrigation Project because of the conveyance of water supplies under paragraph (1).
Runoff Above Navajo Dam
Section 11 of Public Law 87–483 (76 Stat. 100) is amended by adding at the end the following:
For purposes of implementing in a year of prospective shortage the water allocation procedures established by subsection (a), the Secretary of the Interior shall determine the quantity of any shortages and the appropriate apportionment of water using the normal diversion requirements on the flow of the San Juan River originating above Navajo Dam based on the following criteria:
The quantity of diversion or water delivery for the current year anticipated to be necessary to irrigate land in accordance with cropping plans prepared by contractors.
The annual diversion or water delivery demands for the current year anticipated for non-irrigation uses under water delivery contracts, including the demand for delivery for uses in the State of Arizona under the Northwestern New Mexico Rural Water Supply Project authorized by section 302(a) of the Northwestern New Mexico Rural Water Projects Act, but excluding any current demand for surface water for placement into aquifer storage for future recovery and use.
An annual normal diversion demand of 135,000 acre-feet for the initial stage of the San Juan-Chama Project authorized by section 8.
The Secretary shall not include in the normal diversion requirements—
the quantity of water that reliably can be anticipated to be diverted or delivered under a contract from inflows to the San Juan River arising below Navajo Dam under New Mexico State Engineer File No. 3215; or
the quantity of water anticipated to be supplied through reuse.
If the State of New Mexico determines that water uses under Navajo Reservoir water supply contracts or diversions by the San Juan-Chama Project need to be reduced in any 1 year for the State to comply with the Upper Colorado River Basin Compact, as consented to by the Act of April 6, 1949 (63 Stat. 31, chapter 48), the Secretary shall reduce the normal diversion requirements for the year to reflect the water use or diversion limitations imposed by the State of New Mexico.
If the Secretary determines that there is a shortage of water under subsection (a), the Secretary shall allocate the shortage to the demands on the Navajo Reservoir water supply in the following order of priority:
The demand for delivery for uses in the State of Arizona under the Northwestern New Mexico Rural Water Supply Project authorized by section 303 of the Northwestern New Mexico Rural Water Projects Act, excluding the quantity of water anticipated to be diverted for the uses from inflows to the San Juan River that arise below Navajo Dam in accordance with New Mexico State Engineer File No. 3215.
The demand for delivery for uses allocated under paragraph 8.2 of the agreement executed under section 401(a)(2) of the Northwestern New Mexico Rural Water Projects Act, excluding the quantity of water anticipated to be diverted for such uses under State Engineer File No. 3215.
The uses in the State of New Mexico that are determined under subsection (d), in accordance with the procedure for apportioning the water supply under subsection (a).
For any year for which the Secretary determines and allocates a shortage in the Navajo Reservoir water supply, the Secretary shall not deliver, and contractors of the water supply shall not divert, any of the water supply for placement into aquifer storage for future recovery and use.
To determine the occurrence and amount of any shortage to contracts entered into under this section, the Secretary shall not include as available storage any water stored in a top water bank in Navajo Reservoir established under section 16(a) of the Act of April 11, 1956 (commonly known as the Colorado River Storage Project Act ).
The Secretary of the Interior shall apply the sharing and apportionment of water determined under subsections (a), (d), and (e) on an annual volume basis.
The Secretary of the Interior may revise a determination of shortages, apportionments, or allocations of water under subsections (a), (d), and (e) on the basis of information relating to water supply conditions that was not available at the time at which the determination was made.
Nothing in this section prohibits the Secretary from reallocating water for any year, including a year in which a shortage is determined under subsection (a), in accordance with cooperative water agreements between water users providing for a sharing of water supplies.
Any water available for diversion under New Mexico State Engineer File No. 3215 shall be distributed, to the maximum extent practicable, in proportionate amounts to the diversion demands of all contractors and subcontractors of the Navajo Reservoir water supply that are diverting water below Navajo Dam.
Effect on Federal water law
Unless expressly provided in this Act, nothing in this Act modifies, conflicts with, preempts, or otherwise affects—
the Boulder Canyon Project Act (43 U.S.C. 617 et seq.);
the Boulder Canyon Project Adjustment Act (54 Stat. 774, chapter 643);
the Act of April 11, 1956 (commonly known as the Colorado River Storage Project Act ) (43 U.S.C. 620 et seq.);
the Act of September 30, 1968 (commonly known as the Colorado River Basin Project Act ) (82 Stat. 885);
Public Law 87–483 (76 Stat. 96);
the Treaty between the United States of America and Mexico representing utilization of waters of the Colorado and Tijuana Rivers and of the Rio Grande, signed at Washington February 3, 1944 (59 Stat. 1219);
the Colorado River Compact of 1922, as approved by the Presidential Proclamation of June 25, 1929 (46 Stat. 3000);
the Act of April 6, 1949 (63 Stat. 31, chapter 48);
the Jicarilla Apache Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act (106 Stat. 2237); or
section 205 of the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, 2005 (118 Stat. 2949).
Reclamation Water Settlements Fund
Reclamation Water Settlements Fund
There is established in the Treasury of the United States a fund, to be known as the Reclamation Water Settlements Fund , consisting of—
such amounts as are deposited to the Fund under subsection (b); and
any interest earned on investment of amounts in the Fund under subsection (d).
Deposits to Fund
For each of fiscal years 2018 through 2028, the Secretary of the Treasury shall deposit in the Fund, if available, $100,000,000 of the revenues that would otherwise be deposited for the fiscal year in the fund established by the first section of the Act of June 17, 1902 (32 Stat. 388, chapter 1093).
Availability of amounts
Amounts deposited in the Fund under paragraph (1) shall be made available pursuant to this section—
without further appropriation; and
in addition to amounts appropriated pursuant to any authorization contained in any other provision of law.
Expenditures from Fund
For each of fiscal years 2018 through 2030, on request by the Secretary pursuant to paragraphs (2) and (3), the Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer from the Fund to the Secretary an amount not to exceed $100,000,000 for the fiscal year requested.
The Secretary may request a transfer from the Fund to implement a settlement agreement approved by Congress that resolves, in whole or in part, litigation involving the United States or any other agreement approved by Congress that is entered into by the Secretary, if the settlement or other agreement requires the Bureau of Reclamation to plan, design, and construct—
water supply infrastructure; or
to rehabilitate a water delivery system to conserve water; or
to restore fish and wildlife habitat or otherwise improve environmental conditions associated with or affected by a reclamation project that is in existence on the date of enactment of this Act.
Use for completion of Project
The first priority for expenditure of amounts in the Fund shall be for the purposes described in subparagraph (B).
Any amounts in the Fund that are not needed for the purposes described in subparagraph (B) may be used for other purposes authorized in paragraph (2).
Completion of Project
Effective beginning January 1, 2018, if, in the judgment of the Secretary, the deadline described in section 401(f)(1)(A)(ix) is unlikely to be met because a sufficient amount of funding is not otherwise available through appropriations made available pursuant to section 309(a), the Secretary shall request the Secretary of the Treasury to transfer from the Fund to the Secretary such amounts on an annual basis pursuant to paragraph (1), not to exceed a total of $500,000,000, as are necessary to pay the Federal share of the costs, and substantially complete as expeditiously as practicable, the construction of the water supply infrastructure authorized as part of the Project.
Prohibited use of Fund
The Secretary shall not use any amount transferred from the Fund under subparagraph (A) to carry out any other feature or activity described in title IV other than a feature or activity relating to the construction of the water supply infrastructure authorized as part of the Project.
Investment of amounts
The Secretary of the Treasury shall invest such portion of the Fund as is not, in the judgment of the Secretary of the Treasury, required to meet current withdrawals.
Investments may be made only in interest-bearing obligations of the United States.
Acquisition of obligations
For the purpose of investments under paragraph (1), obligations may be acquired—
on original issue at the issue price; or
by purchase of outstanding obligations at the market price.
Sale of obligations
Any obligation acquired by the Fund may be sold by the Secretary of the Treasury at the market price.
Credits to Fund
The interest on, and the proceeds from the sale or redemption of, any obligations held in the Fund shall be credited to, and form a part of, the Fund.
Transfers of amounts
The amounts required to be transferred to the Fund under this section shall be transferred at least monthly from the general fund of the Treasury to the Fund on the basis of estimates made by the Secretary of the Treasury.
Proper adjustment shall be made in amounts subsequently transferred to the extent prior estimates were in excess of or less than the amounts required to be transferred.
On September 30, 2030—
the Fund shall terminate; and
the unexpended and unobligated balance of the Fund shall be transferred to the general fund of the Treasury.
Northwestern New Mexico Rural Water Supply Project
The purposes of this subtitle are—
to authorize the Secretary to construct the Northwestern New Mexico Rural Water Supply Project;
to allocate the water supply for the Project among the Nation, the city of Gallup, New Mexico, and the Jicarilla Apache Nation; and
to authorize the Secretary to enter into Project repayment contracts with the city of Gallup and the Jicarilla Apache Nation.
Authorization of Northwestern New Mexico Rural Water Supply Project
The Secretary, acting through the Commissioner of Reclamation, is authorized to design, construct, operate, and maintain the Project in substantial accordance with the preferred alternative in the Draft Impact Statement.
To provide for the delivery of San Juan River water to Project Participants, the Secretary may construct, operate, and maintain the Project facilities described in the preferred alternative in the Draft Impact Statement, including:
A pumping plant on the San Juan River in the vicinity of Kirtland, New Mexico.
A main pipeline from the San Juan River near Kirtland, New Mexico, to Shiprock, New Mexico, and Gallup, New Mexico, which follows United States Highway 491.
Any pumping plants associated with the pipeline authorized under subparagraph (A).
A main pipeline from Cutter Reservoir to Ojo Encino, New Mexico, which follows United States Highway 550.
Any pumping plants associated with the pipeline authorized under subparagraph (A).
Lateral pipelines from the main pipelines to Nation communities in the States of New Mexico and Arizona.
Any pumping plants associated with the pipelines authorized under subparagraph (A).
Any water regulation, storage or treatment facility, service connection to an existing public water supply system, power substation, power distribution works, or other appurtenant works (including a building or access road) that is related to the Project facilities authorized by paragraphs (1) through (4), including power transmission facilities to connect Project facilities to existing high-voltage transmission facilities.
Acquisition of Land
Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Secretary may acquire any land or interest in land that is necessary to construct, operate, and maintain the Project facilities authorized under subsection (b).
The Secretary may not condemn water rights for purposes of the Project.
The Secretary shall not commence construction of the facilities authorized under subsection (b) until such time as—
the Secretary executes the Agreement and the Contract;
the contracts authorized under section 304 are executed;
completes an environmental impact statement for the Project; and
has issued a record of decision that provides for a preferred alternative; and
the State of New Mexico has made arrangements with the Secretary to contribute $25,000,000 toward the construction costs of the Project.
State contributions required under paragraph (1)(D) shall be in addition to amounts that the State of New Mexico contributes for the planning and construction of regional facilities to distribute Project water to the City and surrounding Nation communities before the date on which the City executes a repayment contract under section 304(b).
The design and construction of the Project shall not be subject to the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450 et seq.).
The Secretary shall reserve, from existing reservations of Colorado River Storage Project power for Bureau of Reclamation projects, up to 26 megawatts of power for use by the Project.
Reallocation of costs
Notwithstanding the Act of April 11, 1956 (commonly known as the Colorado River Storage Project Act ) (43 U.S.C. 620 et seq.), the Secretary shall not reallocate or reassign any cost associated with the Project from an entity covered by this title to the power function.
Conveyance of project facilities
The Secretary is authorized to enter into separate agreements with the City and the Nation to convey each Project facility authorized under subsection (b) to the City and the Nation after—
completion of construction of the Project; and
execution of a Project operations agreement approved by the Secretary and the Project Participants that sets forth—
any terms and conditions that the Secretary determines are necessary—
to ensure the continuation of the intended benefits of the Project; and
to fulfill the purposes of this subtitle;
requirements acceptable to the Secretary and the Project Participants for—
the distribution of water under the Project; and
the allocation and payment of annual operation, maintenance, and replacement costs of the Project based on the proportionate uses of Project facilities; and
conditions and requirements acceptable to the Secretary and the Project Participants for operating and maintaining each Project facility on completion of the conveyance, including the requirement that the City and the Nation shall—
the Compact; and
other applicable law; and
be responsible for—
the operation, maintenance, and replacement of each Project facility; and
the accounting and management of water conveyance and Project finances, as necessary to administer and fulfill the conditions of the Contract executed under section 304(a)(2)(B).
Conveyance to the City of Gallup or Navajo Nation
In conveying a Project facility under this subsection, the Secretary shall convey to—
the City the facilities and any land or interest in land acquired by the United States for the construction, operation, and maintenance of the Project that are located within the corporate boundaries of the City; and
the Nation the facilities and any land or interests in land acquired by the United States for the construction, operation, and maintenance of the Project that are located outside the corporate boundaries of the City.
Effect of conveyance
The conveyance of each Project facility shall not affect the application of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) relating to the use of the water associated with the Project.
Notice of proposed conveyance
Not later than 45 days before the date of a proposed conveyance of any Project facility, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives and to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate notice of the conveyance of each Project facility.
Colorado river storage project power
The conveyance of Project facilities under subsection (f) shall not affect the availability of Colorado River Storage Project power to the Project under subsection (e).
Regional use of project facilities
Subject to paragraph (2), Project facilities constructed under subsection (b) may be used to treat and convey non-Project water or water that is not allocated by subsection 303(b) if—
capacity is available without impairing any water delivery to a Project Participant; and
the unallocated or non-Project water beneficiary—
has the right to use the water;
agrees to pay the operation, maintenance, and replacement costs assignable to the beneficiary for the use of the Project facilities; and
agrees to pay a fee established by the Secretary to assist in the recovery of any capital cost relating to that use.
Effect of payments
Any payments to the United States or the Nation for the use of unused capacity under this subsection or for water under any subcontract with the Nation or the Jicarilla Apache Nation shall not alter the construction repayment requirements or the operation, maintenance, and replacement payment requirements of the Project Participants.
Delivery and use of Northwestern New Mexico Rural Water Supply Project water
Use of project water
In accordance with this Act and other applicable law, water supply from the Project shall be used for municipal, industrial, commercial, domestic, and stock watering purposes.
Use on certain land
Subject to subparagraph (B), the Nation may use Project water allocations on—
land held by the United States in trust for the Nation and members of the Nation; and
land held in fee by the Nation.
The Nation may transfer the purposes and places of use of the allocated water in accordance with the Agreement and applicable law.
Hydroelectric power may be generated as an incident to the delivery of Project water under paragraph (1).
Subject to subparagraph (B), any water contracted for delivery under paragraph (1) that is not needed for current water demands or uses may be delivered by the Project for placement in underground storage in the State of New Mexico for future recovery and use.
Delivery of water under subparagraph (A) is subject to—
approval by the State of New Mexico under applicable provisions of State law relating to aquifer storage and recovery; and
the provisions of the Agreement and this Act.
Project water and capacity allocations
The Project shall divert from the Navajo Reservoir and the San Juan River a quantity of water that does not exceed the lesser of—
37,760 acre-feet of water; or
the quantity of water necessary to supply a depletion from the San Juan River of 35,890 acre-feet.
Water diverted under paragraph (1) shall be allocated to the Project Participants in accordance with subparagraphs (B) through (E), other provisions of this Act, and other applicable law.
Allocation to the city of gallup
The Project shall deliver at the point of diversion from the San Juan River not more than 7,500 acre-feet of water for use by the City.
Allocation to Navajo Nation communities in New Mexico
For use by the Nation in the State of New Mexico, the Project shall deliver at the points of diversion from the San Juan River or at Navajo Reservoir the lesser of—
22,650 acre-feet of water; or
the quantity of water necessary to supply a depletion from the San Juan River of 20,780 acre-feet of water.
Allocation to Navajo Nation communities in Arizona
In accordance with subsection (d), the Project may deliver at the point of diversion from the San Juan River not more than 6,411 acre-feet of water for use by the Nation in the State of Arizona.
Allocation to jicarilla apache nation
The Project shall deliver at Navajo Reservoir not more than 1,200 acre-feet of water for use by the Jicarilla Apache Nation in the southern portion of the Jicarilla Apache Nation Reservation in the State of New Mexico.
Use in excess of allocation quantity
Notwithstanding each allocation quantity limit described in subparagraphs (B), (C), and (E) of paragraph (2), the Secretary may authorize a Project Participant to exceed the allocation quantity limit of that Project Participant if—
capacity is available without impairing any water delivery to any other Project Participant; and
the Project Participant benefitting from the increased allocation quantity—
has the right to use the additional water;
agrees to pay the operation, maintenance, and replacement costs relating to the additional use any Project facility; and
agrees to pay a fee established by the Secretary to assist in recovering capital costs relating to that additional use.
Sources of water
The sources of water for the Project allocated by subsection (b) shall be water originating in—
drainage of the San Juan River above Navajo Dam, to be supplied under New Mexico State Engineer File No. 2849; and
inflow to the San Juan River arising below Navajo Dam, to be supplied under New Mexico State Engineer File No. 3215.
Conditions for use in Arizona
Project water shall not be delivered for use by any community of the Nation in the State of Arizona under subsection (b)(2)(D) until the date on which—
the Secretary determines by hydrologic investigation that sufficient water is reasonably likely to be available to supply uses from water of the Colorado River system allocated to the State of Arizona;
the Secretary submits to Congress the determination described in subparagraph (A);
the Secretary determines that the uses in the State of Arizona are within the apportionment of the water of the Colorado River made to the State of Arizona through compact, statute, or court decree;
Congress has approved a Navajo Reservoir supply contract between the Nation and the United States to provide for the delivery of Project water for the uses in Arizona;
the Navajo Nation and the State of Arizona have entered into an agreement providing for delivery of water of the Project for uses in Arizona; and
any other determination is made as may be required by the Compact.
Accounting of uses in Arizona
Any depletion of water from the San Juan River stream system in the State of New Mexico that results from the diversion of water by the Project for uses within the State of Arizona (including depletion incidental to the diversion, impounding, or conveyance of water in the State of New Mexico for uses in the State of Arizona)—
shall be accounted for as a part of the Colorado River System apportionments to the State of Arizona; and
shall not increase the total quantity of water to which the State of Arizona is entitled to use under any compact, statute, or court decree.
Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), during any year in which a shortage to the normal diversion requirement for any use relating to the Project within the State of Arizona occurs (as determined under section 11 of Public Law 87–483 (76 Stat. 99)), the Nation may temporarily forbear the delivery of the water supply of the Navajo Reservoir for uses in the State of New Mexico under the apportionments of water to the Navajo Indian Irrigation Project and the normal diversion requirements of the Project to allow an equivalent quantity of water to be delivered from the Navajo Reservoir water supply for municipal and domestic uses of the Nation in the State of Arizona under the Project.
Limitation of forbearance
The Nation may forebear the delivery of water under paragraph (1) of a quantity not exceeding the quantity of the shortage to the normal diversion requirement for any use relating to the Project within the State of Arizona.
The forbearance of the delivery of water under paragraph (1) shall be subject to the requirements relating to accounting and water quantity described in subsection (d)(2).
Nothing in this Act—
authorizes the marketing, leasing, or transfer of the water supplies made available to the Nation under the Contract to non-Navajo water users in States other than the State of New Mexico; or
authorizes the forbearance of water uses in the State of New Mexico to allow uses of water in other States other than as authorized under subsection (e).
Consistency with Upper Colorado River Basin Compact
In accordance with the Resolution and notwithstanding any other provision of law—
water may be diverted by the Project from the San Juan River in the State of New Mexico for use in the Lower Colorado River Basin in the State of New Mexico; and
water diverted under paragraph (1) shall be a part of the consumptive use apportionment made to the State of New Mexico by Article III(a) of the Compact.
Navajo Nation contract
Congress recognizes that the Hydrologic Determination satisfactory to support approval of the Contract has been completed.
Except to the extent that any provision of the Contract conflicts with this Act, Congress approves, ratifies, and incorporates by reference the Contract.
To the extent any amendment is executed to make the Contract consistent with this Act, that amendment is authorized, ratified, and confirmed.
Execution of contract
The Secretary, acting on behalf of the United States, shall enter into the Contract to the extent that the Contract does not conflict with this Act (including any amendment that is required to make the Contract consistent with this Act).
No repayment obligation
The Nation is not obligated to repay—
any share of the construction costs of the Nation relating to the Project authorized by section 302(a); or
any costs relating to the construction of the Navajo Indian Irrigation Project that may otherwise be allocable to the Nation for use of any facility of the Navajo Indian Irrigation Project to convey water to each Navajo community under the Project.
Operation, maintenance, and replacement obligation
Subject to subsection (f), the Nation shall pay any costs relating to the operation, maintenance, and replacement of each facility of the Project that are allocable to the Nation.
Limitation, cancellation, termination, and rescission
The Contract may be limited by a term of years, canceled, terminated, or rescinded only by an Act of Congress.
City of gallup contract
To the extent consistent with this Act, the Secretary is authorized to enter into a repayment contract with the City that requires the City—
to repay, within a 50-year period, the share of any construction cost of the City relating to the Project; and
to pay the operation, maintenance, and replacement costs of the Project that are allocable to the City.
Share of construction costs
Subject to subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall determine the share of the construction costs of the City relating to the Project, based on the ability of the City to pay the construction costs of each facility of the Project that is allocable to the City.
The share of the construction costs of the City shall be at least 25 percent of the construction costs of the Project that are allocable to the City.
Excess construction costs
Any construction costs of the Project allocable to providing capacity to deliver water to the City that are in excess of the share of the City of the construction costs of the Project, as determined under paragraph (2), shall be nonreimbursable.
A grant from any other Federal source shall not be credited toward the amount required to be repaid by the City under a repayment contract.
If title is transferred to the City prior to repayment under section 302(f), the City shall be required to provide assurances satisfactory to the Secretary of fulfillment of the remaining repayment obligation of the City.
Operation, maintenance and replacement obligation
The City shall pay the operation, maintenance, and replacement costs for each facility of the Project that is allocable to the City.
Water delivery subcontract
Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall not enter into a contract under paragraph (1) with the City until the City has secured a water supply for the portion of the Project for which the City is responsible by entering into, as approved by the Secretary, a water delivery subcontract for a period of not less than 40 years beginning on the date on which the construction of any facility of the Project serving the City is completed, but for a period not exceeding 99 years, with—
the Nation, as authorized by the Contract; or
the Jicarilla Apache Nation, as authorized by the settlement contract between the United States and the Jicarilla Apache Tribe, authorized by the Jicarilla Apache Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act (Public Law 102–441; 106 Stat. 2237).
Nothing in this paragraph—
prevents the City from obtaining an alternate source of water for the portion of the Project for which the City is responsible, subject to approval of the Secretary and the State of New Mexico, acting through the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission and the New Mexico State Engineer; or
obligates the Nation or the Jicarilla Apache Nation to enter into a water delivery subcontract with the City.
Jicarilla apache nation contract
To the extent consistent with this Act, the Secretary is authorized to enter into a repayment contract with the Jicarilla Apache Nation that requires the Jicarilla Apache Nation—
to repay, within a 50-year period, the share of any construction cost of the Jicarilla Apache Nation relating to the Project; and
to pay the operation, maintenance, and replacement costs of the Project that are allocable to the Jicarilla Apache Nation.
Share of construction costs
Subject to subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall determine the share of the Jicarilla Apache Nation of the construction costs of the Project, based on the ability of the Jicarilla Apache Nation to pay the construction costs of the Project facilities that are allocable to the Jicarilla Apache Nation.
The share of the Jicarilla Apache Nation under subparagraph (A) shall be at least 25 percent of the construction costs of the Project that are allocable to the Jicarilla Apache Nation.
Excess construction costs
Any construction costs of the Project allocable to providing capacity to deliver water to the Jicarilla Apache Nation that are in excess of the share of the Jicarilla Apache Nation of the construction costs of the Project, as determined under paragraph (2), shall be nonreimbursable.
A grant from any other Federal source shall not be credited toward the share of the Jicarilla Apache Nation of construction costs.
Navajo indian irrigation project costs
The Jicarilla Apache Nation shall have no obligation to repay any Navajo Indian Irrigation Project construction costs that might otherwise be allocable to the Jicarilla Apache Nation for use of the Navajo Indian Irrigation Project facilities to convey water to the Jicarilla Apache Nation.
Operation, maintenance and replacement obligation
The Jicarilla Apache Nation shall pay the operation, maintenance, and replacement costs relating to each facility of the Project that are allocable to the Jicarilla Apache Nation.
Capital cost allocations
For purposes of determining the capital repayment requirements of the Project Participants under this section, the Secretary shall review and, as appropriate, update the report prepared by the Bureau of Reclamation in the Draft Impact Statement allocating capital construction costs for the Project.
Operation, maintenance, and replacement cost allocations
For purposes of determining the operation, maintenance, and replacement obligations of the Project Participants under this section, the Secretary shall review and, as appropriate, update the report prepared by the Bureau of Reclamation in the Draft Impact Statement that allocates operation, maintenance, and replacement costs for the Project.
Temporary waivers of payments
On the date on which the Project is substantially complete and the Nation receives a delivery of water generated by the Project, the Secretary may waive, for a period of not more than 10 years, the operation, maintenance, and replacement costs of the Project allocable to the Nation that the Secretary determines are in excess of the ability of the Nation to pay.
Payment by United States
Any operation, maintenance, or replacement costs waived by the Secretary under paragraph (1) shall be paid by the United States.
Effect on contracts
Failure of the Secretary to waive costs under paragraph (1) because of a lack of availability of Federal funding to pay the costs under paragraph (2) shall not alter the obligations of the Nation or the United States under a repayment contract.
Termination of authority
The authority of the Secretary to waive costs under paragraph (1) with respect to a Project facility transferred to the Nation under section 302(f) shall terminate on the date on which the Project facility is transferred.
Use of Navajo Nation Municipal Pipeline
In addition to use of the Navajo Nation Municipal Pipeline to convey the Animas-La Plata Project water of the Nation, the Nation may use the Navajo Nation Municipal Pipeline to convey water for other purposes (including purposes relating to the Project).
Authorization of conjunctive use wells
Conjunctive groundwater development plan
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Nation, in consultation with the Secretary, shall complete a conjunctive groundwater development plan for the wells described in subsections (b) and (c).
Wells in the San Juan River Basin
In accordance with the conjunctive groundwater development plan, the Secretary may construct or rehabilitate wells and related pipeline facilities to provide capacity for the diversion and distribution of not more than 1,670 acre-feet of groundwater in the San Juan River Basin in the State of New Mexico for municipal and domestic uses.
Wells in the little Colorado and rio grande basins
In accordance with the Project and conjunctive groundwater development plan for the Nation, the Secretary may construct or rehabilitate wells and related pipeline facilities to provide capacity for the diversion and distribution of—
not more than 680 acre-feet of groundwater in the Little Colorado River Basin in the State of New Mexico;
not more than 80 acre-feet of groundwater in the Rio Grande Basin in the State of New Mexico; and
not more than 770 acre-feet of groundwater in the Little Colorado River Basin in the State of Arizona.
Groundwater diverted and distributed under paragraph (1) shall be used for municipal and domestic uses.
Acquisition of land
Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Secretary may acquire any land or interest in land that is necessary for the construction, operation, and maintenance of the wells and related pipeline facilities authorized under subsections (b) and (c).
Nothing in this subsection authorizes the Secretary to condemn water rights for the purposes described in paragraph (1).
The Secretary shall not commence any construction activity relating to the wells described in subsections (b) and (c) until the Secretary executes the Agreement.
Conveyance of wells
The Secretary shall enter into an agreement with the Nation to convey to the Nation—
any well or related pipeline facility constructed or rehabilitated under subsections (a) and (b) after the wells and related facilities have been completed; and
any land or interest in land acquired by the United States for the construction, operation, and maintenance of the well or related pipeline facility.
Operation, maintenance, and replacement
On completion of a conveyance under paragraph (1), the Nation shall assume responsibility for the operation, maintenance, and replacement of the well or related pipeline facility conveyed.
Effect of conveyance
The conveyance to the Nation of the conjunctive use wells under paragraph (1) shall not affect the application of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
Use of project facilities
The capacities of the treatment facilities, main pipelines, and lateral pipelines of the Project authorized by section 302(b) may be used to treat and convey groundwater to Nation communities if the Nation provides for payment of the operation, maintenance, and replacement costs associated with the use of the facilities or pipelines.
The diversion and use of groundwater by wells constructed or rehabilitated under this section shall be made in a manner consistent with applicable Federal and State law.
San Juan River Navajo Irrigation Projects
Subject to subsection (b), the Secretary shall rehabilitate—
the Fruitland-Cambridge Irrigation Project to serve not more than 3,335 acres of land, which shall be considered to be the total serviceable area of the Project; and
the Hogback-Cudei Irrigation Project to serve not more than 8,830 acres of land, which shall be considered to be the total serviceable area of the Project.
The Secretary shall not commence any construction activity relating to the rehabilitation of the Fruitland-Cambridge Irrigation Project or the Hogback-Cudei Irrigation Project under subsection (a) until the Secretary executes the Agreement.
Operation, maintenance, and replacement obligation
Upon the date of completion of the rehabilitation, the Nation shall assume the obligations for the operation, maintenance, and replacement of each facility rehabilitated under this section.
Other irrigation projects
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the State of New Mexico (acting through the Interstate Stream Commission) and the Non-Navajo Irrigation Districts that elect to participate, shall—
conduct a study of Non-Navajo Irrigation District diversion and ditch facilities; and
based on the study, identify and prioritize a list of projects, with associated cost estimates, that are recommended to be implemented to repair, rehabilitate, or reconstruct irrigation diversion and ditch facilities to improve water use efficiency.
The Secretary may provide grants to, and enter into cooperative agreements with, the Non-Navajo Irrigation Districts to plan, design, or otherwise implement the projects identified under subsection (a)(2).
The Federal share of the total cost of carrying out a project under subsection (b) shall be not more than 50 percent.
The non-Federal share required under paragraph (1) may be in the form of in-kind contributions, including the contribution of any valuable asset or service that the Secretary determines would substantially contribute to a project carried out under subsection (b).
The Secretary may accept from the State of New Mexico a partial or total contribution toward the non-Federal share for a project carried out under subsection (b).
Authorization of appropriations
Authorization of appropriations for northwestern New Mexico rural water supply project
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to construct the Project such sums as are necessary for the period of fiscal years 2008 through 2022.
The amount under paragraph (1) shall be adjusted by such amounts as may be required by reason of changes since 2005 in construction costs, as indicated by engineering cost indices applicable to the types of construction involved.
In addition to the uses authorized under paragraph (1), amounts made available under that paragraph may be used for the conduct of related activities to comply with Federal environmental laws.
Appropriations for conjunctive use wells
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for the construction or rehabilitation of conjunctive use wells under section 306(b) $30,000,000, as adjusted under paragraph (3), for the period of fiscal years 2008 through 2018.
Wells in the little Colorado and rio grande basins
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for the construction or rehabilitation of conjunctive use wells under section 306(c) such sums as are necessary for the period of fiscal years 2008 through 2024.
The amount under paragraph (1) shall be adjusted by such amounts as may be required by reason of changes since 2004 in construction costs, as indicated by engineering cost indices applicable to the types of construction or rehabilitation involved.
Amounts made available under paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be nonreimbursable to the United States.
In addition to the uses authorized under paragraphs (1) and (2), amounts made available under that paragraph may be used for the conduct of related activities to comply with Federal environmental laws.
San Juan River Irrigation Projects
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary—
to carry out section 307(a)(1), not more than $7,700,000, as adjusted under paragraph (2), for the period of fiscal years 2008 through 2014; and
to carry out section 307(a)(2), not more than $15,400,000, as adjusted under paragraph (2), for the period of fiscal years 2008 through 2017.
The amounts made available under paragraph (1) shall be adjusted by such amounts as may be required by reason of changes since January 1, 2004, in construction costs, as indicated by engineering cost indices applicable to the types of construction involved in the rehabilitation.
Amounts made available under this subsection shall be nonreimbursable to the United States.
Other irrigation projects
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out section 308 $11,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2008 through 2017.
The Secretary may use not more than 4 percent of amounts made available under subsections (a) and (b) for the survey, recovery, protection, preservation, and display of archaeological resources in the area of a Project facility or conjunctive use well.
Any amounts made available under paragraph (1) shall be nonreimbursable and nonreturnable to the United States.
Fish and wildlife facilities
In association with the development of the Project, the Secretary may use not more than 4 percent of amounts made available under subsections (a) and (b) to purchase land and construct and maintain facilities to mitigate the loss of, and improve conditions for the propagation of, fish and wildlife if any such purchase, construction, or maintenance will not affect the operation of any water project or use of water.
Any amounts expended under paragraph (1) shall be nonreimbursable and nonreturnable to the United States.
Navajo Nation water rights
Approval by congress
Except to the extent that any provision of the Agreement conflicts with this Act, Congress approves, ratifies, and incorporates by reference the Agreement (including any amendments to the Agreement that are executed to make the Agreement consistent with this Act).
Execution by secretary
The Secretary, acting on behalf of the United States, shall enter into the Agreement to the extent that the Agreement does not conflict with this Act, including—
any exhibits to the Agreement requiring the signature of the Secretary; and
any amendments to the Agreement necessary to make the Agreement consistent with this Act.
Authority of secretary
The Secretary may carry out any action that the Secretary determines is necessary or appropriate to implement the Agreement, the Contract, and this section.
Administration of navajo reservoir releases
The State of New Mexico may administer releases of stored water from Navajo Reservoir in accordance with subparagraph 9.1 of the Agreement.
Water available under contract
Quantities of water available
Water shall be made available annually under the Contract for projects in the State of New Mexico supplied from the Navajo Reservoir and the San Juan River (including tributaries of the River) under New Mexico State Engineer File Numbers 2849, 2883, and 3215 in the quantities described in subparagraph (B).
The quantities of water referred to in subparagraph (A) are as follows:
| Diversion (acre-feet/year) | Depletion (acre-feet/year) | |
| Navajo Indian Irrigation Project | 508,000 | 270,000 |
| Northwestern New Mexico Rural Water Supply Project | 22,650 | 20,780 |
| Animas-La Plata Project | 4,680 | 2,340 |
| Total | 535,330 | 293,120 |
A diversion of water to the Nation under the Contract for a project described in subparagraph (B) shall not exceed the quantity of water necessary to supply the amount of depletion for the project.
Terms, conditions, and limitations
The diversion and use of water under the Contract shall be subject to and consistent with the terms, conditions, and limitations of the Agreement, this Act, and any other applicable law.
Amendments to contract
The Secretary, with the consent of the Nation, may amend the Contract if the Secretary determines that the amendment is—
consistent with the Agreement; and
in the interest of conserving water or facilitating beneficial use by the Nation or a subcontractor of the Nation.
Rights of the nation
The Nation may, under the Contract—
use tail water, wastewater, and return flows attributable to a use of the water by the Nation or a subcontractor of the Nation if—
the depletion of water does not exceed the quantities described in paragraph (1); and
the use of tail water, wastewater, or return flows is consistent with the terms, conditions, and limitations of the Agreement, the Resolution, and any other applicable law; and
change a point of diversion, change a purpose or place of use, and transfer a right for depletion under this Act (except for a point of diversion, purpose or place of use, or right for depletion for use in the State of Arizona under section 303(b)(2)(D)), to another use, purpose, place, or depletion in the State of New Mexico to meet a water resource or economic need of the Nation if—
the change or transfer is subject to and consistent with the terms of the Agreement, the Partial Final Decree described in paragraph 3.0 of the Agreement, the Contract, and any other applicable law; and
a change or transfer of water use by the Nation does not alter any obligation of the United States, the Nation, or another party to pay or repay project construction, operation, maintenance, or replacement costs under this Act and the Contract.
Subcontracts between nation and third parties
The Nation may enter into subcontracts for the delivery of Project water under the Contract to third parties for any beneficial use in the State of New Mexico (on or off land held by the United States in trust for the Nation or a member of the Nation or land held in fee by the Nation).
A subcontract entered into under subparagraph (A) shall not be effective until approved by the Secretary in accordance with this subsection and the Contract.
The Nation shall submit to the Secretary for approval or disapproval any subcontract entered into under this subsection.
The Secretary shall approve or disapprove a subcontract submitted to the Secretary under subparagraph (C) not later than the later of—
the date that is 180 days after the date on which the subcontract is submitted to the Secretary; and
the date that is 60 days after the date on which a subcontractor complies with—
section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)); and
any other requirement of Federal law.
A party to a subcontract may enforce the deadline described in subparagraph (D) under section 1361 of title 28, United States Code.
Compliance with other law
A subcontract described in subparagraph (A) shall comply with the Agreement, the Partial Final Decree described in paragraph 3.0 of the Agreement, and any other applicable law.
The Nation shall not permanently alienate any right granted to the Nation under the Contract.
The term of any water use subcontract (including a renewal) under this subsection shall be not more than 99 years.
Nonintercourse Act compliance
provides congressional authorization for the subcontracting rights of the Nation; and
is deemed to fulfill any requirement that may be imposed by section 2116 of the Revised Statutes (25 U.S.C. 177).
The nonuse of the water supply secured by a subcontractor of the Nation under this subsection shall not result in forfeiture, abandonment, relinquishment, or other loss of any part of a right decreed to the Nation under the Contract or this section.
No per capita payments
No part of the revenue from a water use subcontract under this subsection shall be distributed to any member of the Nation on a per capita basis.
Water leases not requiring subcontracts
Authority of nation
The Nation may lease, contract, or otherwise transfer to another party or to another purpose or place of use in the State of New Mexico (on or off land that is held by the United States in trust for the Nation or a member of the Nation or held in fee by the Nation) a water right that—
is decreed to the Nation under the Agreement; and
is not subject to the Contract.
Compliance with other law
In carrying out an action under this subsection, the Nation shall comply with the Agreement, the Partial Final Decree described in paragraph 3.0 of the Agreement, the Supplemental Partial Final Decree described in paragraph 4.0 of the Agreement, and any other applicable law.
Alienation; maximum term
The Nation shall not permanently alienate any right granted to the Nation under the Agreement.
The term of any water use lease, contract, or other arrangement (including a renewal) under this subsection shall be not more than 99 years.
Nonintercourse act compliance
provides congressional authorization for the lease, contracting, and transfer of any water right described in paragraph (1)(A); and
is deemed to fulfill any requirement that may be imposed by the provisions of section 2116 of the Revised Statutes (25 U.S.C. 177).
The nonuse of a water right of the Nation by a lessee or contractor to the Nation under this subsection shall not result in forfeiture, abandonment, relinquishment, or other loss of any part of a right decreed to the Nation under the Contract or this section.
The Secretary, on behalf of the United States, shall prepare a hydrographic survey under the joint supervision of the Secretary and the State of New Mexico (acting through the New Mexico State Engineer) to identify and quantify any historic or existing diversion or use of water (including from surface water and underground water sources) by the Nation or a member of the Nation from the San Juan River Basin in the State of New Mexico, as described in subparagraph 4.2 of the Agreement.
Authorization of appropriations
Subject to subparagraph (B), there is authorized to be appropriated to the Bureau of Indian Affairs to carry out paragraph (1) $5,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2008 through 2013.
The amounts made available under subparagraph (A) shall be adjusted by such amounts as are necessary to account for increases in the costs of preparing a hydrographic survey after January 1, 2004, as determined using cost indices applicable to the types of technical and engineering work involved in preparing the hydrographic survey.
Any amounts made available under this paragraph shall be nonreimbursable to the United States.
In carrying out this section, the following deadlines apply with respect to implementation of the Agreement:
Not later than December 31, 2008, the Secretary shall execute the Agreement.
Not later than December 31, 2009, the Secretary and the Nation shall execute the Contract.
Partial final decree
Not later than December 31, 2012, the court in the stream adjudication shall have entered the Partial Final Decree described in paragraph 3.0 of the Agreement.
Not later than December 31, 2013, the Secretary shall complete the hydrographic survey described in subsection (e).
Fruitland-cambridge irrigation project
Not later than December 31, 2014, the rehabilitation construction of the Fruitland-Cambridge Irrigation Project authorized under section 307(a)(1) shall be completed.
Supplemental partial final decree
Not later than December 31, 2015, the court in the stream adjudication shall enter the Supplemental Partial Final Decree described in subparagraph 4.0 of the Agreement.
Hogback-cudei irrigation project
Not later than December 31, 2017, the rehabilitation construction of the Hogback-Cudei Irrigation Project authorized under section 307(a)(2) shall be completed.
Not later than December 31, 2018, the United States shall make all deposits into the Trust Fund under section 402.
Not later than December 31, 2018, the funds authorized to be appropriated under section 309(b)(1) for the conjunctive use wells authorized under section 306(b) should be appropriated.
Northwestern New Mexico rural water supply project
Not later than December 31, 2022, the construction of all Project facilities shall be completed.
A deadline described in subparagraph (A) may be extended if the Nation, the United States (acting through the Secretary), and the State of New Mexico (acting through the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission) agree that an extension is reasonably necessary.
Revocability of agreement, contract and authorizations
If the Nation determines that a deadline described in paragraph (1)(A) is not substantially met, the Nation may submit to the court in the stream adjudication a petition to enter an order terminating the Agreement and Contract.
On issuance of an order to terminate the Agreement and Contract under subparagraph (A)—
the Trust Fund shall be terminated;
the balance of the Trust Fund shall be deposited in the general fund of the Treasury;
the authorizations for construction and rehabilitation of water projects under this Act shall be revoked and any Federal activity related to that construction and rehabilitation shall be suspended; and
this title and titles I and III shall be null and void.
Conditions not causing nullification of settlement
If a condition described in subparagraph (B) occurs, the Agreement and Contract shall not be nullified or terminated.
The conditions referred to in subparagraph (A) are as follows:
A lack of right to divert at the capacities of conjunctive use wells constructed or rehabilitated under section 306.
to determine or resolve an accounting of the use of water under this Act in the State of Arizona;
to obtain a necessary water right for the consumptive use of water in Arizona;
to contract for the delivery of water for use in Arizona; or
to construct and operate a lateral facility to deliver water to a community of the Nation in Arizona, under the Project.
Rights of the nation
A tribal right under the Contract, a water right adjudicated consistent with the Contract in the stream adjudication by the Partial Final Decree described in paragraph 3.0 of the Agreement, and any other tribal water right stipulated, adjudicated, or decreed as described in the Agreement and this Act shall be held in trust by the United States in perpetuity for the benefit of the Nation.
Effect on rights of Indian tribes
Except as provided in paragraph (2), nothing in the Agreement, the Contract, or this section quantifies or adversely affects the land and water rights, or claims or entitlements to water, of any Indian tribe or community other than the rights, claims, or entitlements of the Nation in, to, and from the San Juan River Basin in the State of New Mexico.
The right of the Nation to use water under water rights the Nation has in other river basins in the State of New Mexico shall be forborne to the extent that the Nation supplies the uses for which the water rights exist by diversions of water from the San Juan River Basin under the Project consistent with subparagraph 9.13 of the Agreement.
There is established in the Treasury a fund to be known as the Navajo Nation Water Resources Development Trust Fund , consisting of—
such amounts as are appropriated to the Trust Fund under subsection (f); and
any interest earned on investment of amounts in the Trust Fund under subsection (d).
The Nation may use amounts in the Trust Fund—
to investigate, construct, operate, maintain, or replace water project facilities, including facilities conveyed to the Nation under this Act; and
to investigate, implement, or improve a water conservation measure (including a metering or monitoring activity) necessary for the Nation to make use of a water right of the Nation under the Agreement.
The Secretary shall manage the Trust Fund, invest amounts in the Trust Fund, and make amounts available from the Trust Fund for distribution to the Nation in accordance with the American Indian Trust Fund Management Reform Act of 1994 (25 U.S.C. 4001 et seq.).
Investment of the Trust Fund
The Secretary shall invest amounts in the Trust Fund in accordance with—
the Act of April 1, 1880 (25 U.S.C. 161);
the first section of the Act of June 24, 1938 (25 U.S.C. 162a); and
the American Indian Trust Fund Management Reform Act of 1994 (25 U.S.C. 4001 et seq.).
Conditions for expenditures and withdrawals
Tribal management plan
Subject to paragraph (7), on approval by the Secretary of a tribal management plan in accordance with the American Indian Trust Fund Management Reform Act of 1994 (25 U.S.C. 4001 et seq.), the Nation may withdraw all or a portion of the amounts in the Trust Fund.
In addition to any requirements under the American Indian Trust Fund Management Reform Act of 1994 (25 U.S.C. 4001 et seq.), the tribal management plan shall require that the Nation only use amounts in the Trust Fund for the purposes described in subsection (b), including the identification of water conservation measures to be implemented in association with the agricultural water use of the Nation.
The Secretary may take judicial or administrative action to enforce the provisions of any tribal management plan to ensure that any amounts withdrawn from the Trust Fund are used in accordance with this Act.
Neither the Secretary nor the Secretary of the Treasury shall be liable for the expenditure or investment of any amounts withdrawn from the Trust Fund by the Nation.
The Nation shall submit to the Secretary for approval an expenditure plan for any portion of the amounts in the Trust Fund made available under this section that the Nation does not withdraw under this subsection.
The expenditure plan shall describe the manner in which, and the purposes for which, funds of the Nation remaining in the Trust Fund will be used.
On receipt of an expenditure plan under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall approve the plan if the Secretary determines that the plan is reasonable and consistent with this Act.
The Nation shall submit to the Secretary an annual report that describes any expenditures from the Trust Fund during the year covered by the report.
No portion of the amounts in the Trust Fund shall be distributed to any Nation member on a per capita basis.
Any amount authorized to be appropriated to the Trust Fund under subsection (f) shall not be available for expenditure or withdrawal—
before December 31, 2018; and
until the date on which the court in the stream adjudication has entered—
the Partial Final Decree described in paragraph 3.0 of the Agreement; and
the Supplemental Partial Final Decree described in paragraph 4.0 of the Agreement.
Authorization of appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated for deposit in the Trust Fund—
$6,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012; and
$4,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2013 through 2017.
Waivers and releases
The Nation, on behalf of itself and members of the Nation (other than members in their capacity as allottees), and the United States, acting through the Secretary and in its capacity as trustee for the Nation, shall execute waivers and releases in accordance with paragraph 7.0 of the Agreement.
Notwithstanding subsection (a), the Nation and its members (including members in their capacity as allottees) and the United States, as trustee for the Nation and allottees, shall retain the rights and claims specified in paragraph 7.0 of the Agreement.
The waivers and releases described in subsection (a) shall be effective on the date on which the Secretary publishes in the Federal Register a statement of findings documenting that each of the deadlines described in section 401(f)(1) have been met.
If the deadlines in section 401(f)(1)(A) have not been met by the later of March 1, 2023, or the date of any extension under section 401(f)(1)(B)—
the waivers and releases described in subsection (a) shall be of no effect; and
section 401(f)(2)(B) shall apply.
Short title; table of contents
This Act may be cited as the Northwestern New Mexico Rural Water Projects Act .
Table of Contents
The table of contents of this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
Sec. 3. Compliance with environmental laws.
Sec. 4. No reallocation of costs.
Sec. 5. Interest rate.
TITLE I—Amendments to the Colorado River Storage Project Act and Public Law 87–483
Sec. 101. Amendments to the Colorado River Storage Project Act.
Sec. 102. Amendments to Public Law 87–483.
Sec. 103. Effect on Federal water law.
TITLE II—Reclamation Water Settlements Fund
Sec. 201. Reclamation Water Settlements Fund.
TITLE III—Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project
Sec. 301. Purposes.
Sec. 302. Authorization of Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project.
Sec. 303. Delivery and use of Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project water.
Sec. 304. Project contracts.
Sec. 305. Navajo Nation Municipal Pipeline.
Sec. 306. Authorization of conjunctive use wells.
Sec. 307. San Juan River Navajo Irrigation Projects.
Sec. 308. Other irrigation projects.
Sec. 309. Authorization of appropriations.
TITLE IV—Navajo Nation water rights
Sec. 401. Agreement.
Sec. 402. Trust Fund.
Sec. 403. Waivers and releases.
Sec. 404. Water rights held in trust.
The term means the general stream adjudication that is the subject of the civil action entitled State of New Mexico, ex rel. State Engineer and United States of America, Pueblo de Nambe, Pueblo de Pojoaque, Pueblo de San Ildefonso, and Pueblo de Tesuque v. R. Lee Aamodt, et al. , No. 66 CV 6639 MV/LCS (D.N.M.).
The term means the general stream adjudication that is the subject of the civil actions entitled State of New Mexico v. Abeyta and State of New Mexico v. Arrellano , Civil Nos. 7896–BB (D.N.M) and 7939–BB (D.N.M.) (consolidated).
The term means acre-feet per year.
The term means the agreement among the State of New Mexico, the Nation, and the United States setting forth a stipulated and binding agreement signed by the State of New Mexico and the Nation on April 19, 2005.
The means a person that holds a beneficial real property interest in a Navajo allotment that—
is located within the Navajo Reservation or the State of New Mexico;
is held in trust by the United States; and
was originally granted to an individual member of the Nation by public land order or otherwise.
Animas-la Plata Project
The term has the meaning given the term in section 3 of Public Law 100–585 (102 Stat. 2973), including Ridges Basin Dam, Lake Nighthorse, the Navajo Nation Municipal Pipeline, and any other features or modifications made pursuant to the Colorado Ute Settlement Act Amendments of 2000 (Public Law 106–554; 114 Stat. 2763A–258).
The term means the city of Gallup, New Mexico, or a designee of the City, with authority to provide water to the Gallup, New Mexico service area.
The term means the Upper Colorado River Basin Compact as consented to by the Act of April 6, 1949 (63 Stat. 31, chapter 48).
The term means the contract between the United States and the Nation setting forth certain commitments, rights, and obligations of the United States and the Nation, as described in paragraph 6.0 of the Agreement.
The term means the depletion of the flow of the San Juan River stream system in the State of New Mexico by a particular use of water (including any depletion incident to the use) and represents the diversion from the stream system by the use, less return flows to the stream system from the use.
Draft Impact Statement
The term means the draft environmental impact statement prepared by the Bureau of Reclamation for the Project dated March 2007.
The term means the Reclamation Waters Settlements Fund established by section 201(a).
The term means the hydrologic determination entitled Water Availability from Navajo Reservoir and the Upper Colorado River Basin for Use in New Mexico, prepared by the Bureau of Reclamation pursuant to section 11 of the Act of June 13, 1962 (Public Law 87–483; 76 Stat. 99), and dated May 23, 2007.
The term means the Navajo Nation, a body politic and federally-recognized Indian nation as provided for in section 101(2) of the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List of 1994 (25 U.S.C. 497a(2)), also known variously as the Navajo Tribe, the Navajo Tribe of Arizona, New Mexico & Utah, and the Navajo Tribe of Indians and other similar names, and includes all bands of Navajo Indians and chapters of the Navajo Nation.
Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project; Project
The term or means the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project authorized under section 302(a), as described as the preferred alternative in the Draft Impact Statement.
Navajo Indian Irrigation Project
The term means the Navajo Indian irrigation project authorized by section 2 of Public Law 87–483 (76 Stat. 96).
The term means the reservoir created by the impoundment of the San Juan River at Navajo Dam, as authorized by the Act of April 11, 1956 (commonly known as the Colorado River Storage Project Act ) (43 U.S.C. 620 et seq.).
Navajo Nation Municipal Pipeline; Pipeline
The term or means the pipeline used to convey the water of the Animas-La Plata Project of the Navajo Nation from the City of Farmington, New Mexico, to communities of the Navajo Nation located in close proximity to the San Juan River Valley in the State of New Mexico (including the City of Shiprock), as authorized by section 15(b) of the Colorado Ute Indian Water Rights Settlement Act of 1988 (Public Law 100–585; 102 Stat. 2973; 114 Stat. 2763A–263).
Non-Navajo Irrigation Districts
the Hammond Conservancy District;
the Bloomfield Irrigation District; and
any other community ditch organization in the San Juan River basin in the State of New Mexico.
Partial final decree
The term means a final and binding judgement and decree entered by a court in the stream adjudication, setting forth the rights of the Nation to use and administer waters of the San Juan River Basin in New Mexico, as set forth in Appendix 1 of the Agreement.
The term means the City, the Nation, and the Jicarilla Apache Nation.
San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program
The term means the intergovernmental program established pursuant to the cooperative agreement dated October 21, 1992 (including any amendments to the program).
The term means the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Commissioner of Reclamation or any other designee.
The term means the general stream adjudication that is the subject of New Mexico v. United States, et al., No. 75–185 (11th Jud. Dist., San Juan County, New Mexico) (involving claims to waters of the San Juan River and the tributaries of that river).
Supplemental Partial Final Decree
The term means a final and binding judgement and decree entered by a court in the stream adjudication, setting forth certain water rights of the Nation, as set forth in Appendix 2 of the Agreement.
The term means the Navajo Nation Water Resources Development Trust Fund established by section 402(a).
Compliance with environmental laws
Effect of execution of agreement
The execution of the Agreement under section 401(a)(2) shall not constitute a major Federal action under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).
Compliance with environmental laws
In carrying out this Act, the Secretary shall comply with each law of the Federal Government relating to the protection of the environment, including—
the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); and
the Endangered Species Act of 1973 ( 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
No reallocation of costs
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary shall not reallocate or reassign any costs of projects that have been authorized under the Act of April 11, 1956 (commonly known as the Colorado River Storage Project Act ) (43 U.S.C. 620 et seq.), as of the date of enactment of this Act because of—
the authorization of the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project under this Act; or
the changes in the uses of the water diverted by the Navajo Indian Irrigation Project or the waters stored in the Navajo Reservoir authorized under this Act.
Use of power revenues
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no power revenues under the Act of April 11, 1956 (commonly known as the Colorado River Storage Project Act ) (43 U.S.C. 620 et seq.), shall be used to pay or reimburse any costs of the Navajo Indian Irrigation Project or Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the interest rate applicable to any repayment contract entered into under section 304 shall be equal to the discount rate for Federal water resources planning, as determined by the Secretary.
Amendments to the Colorado River Storage Project Act and Public Law 87–483
Amendments to the Colorado River Storage Project Act
Paragraph (2) of the first section of the Act of April 11, 1956 (commonly known as the Colorado River Storage Project Act ) (43 U.S.C. 620(2)) is amended by inserting the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project, after Fruitland Mesa, .
Navajo Reservoir water bank
The Act of April 11, 1956 (commonly known as the Colorado River Storage Project Act ) is amended—
by redesignating section 16 (43 U.S.C. 620o) as section 17; and
by inserting after section 15 (43 U.S.C. 620n) the following:
The Secretary of the Interior may create and operate within the available capacity of Navajo Reservoir a top water bank.
Water made available for the top water bank in accordance with subsections (c) and (d) shall not be subject to section 11 of Public Law 87–483 (76 Stat. 99).
The top water bank authorized under subsection (a) shall be operated in a manner that—
is consistent with applicable law, except that, notwithstanding any other provision of law, water for purposes other than irrigation may be stored in the Navajo Reservoir pursuant to the rules governing the top water bank established under this section; and
does not impair the ability of the Secretary of the Interior to deliver water under contracts entered into under—
Public Law 87–483 (76 Stat. 96); and
New Mexico State Engineer File Nos. 2847, 2848, 2849, and 2917.
The Secretary of the Interior, in cooperation with the State of New Mexico (acting through the Interstate Stream Commission), shall develop any terms and procedures for the storage, accounting, and release of water in the top water bank that are necessary to comply with subsection (c).
The terms and procedures developed under paragraph (1) shall include provisions requiring that—
the storage of banked water shall be subject to approval under State law by the New Mexico State Engineer to ensure that impairment of any existing water right does not occur, including storage of water under New Mexico State Engineer File No. 2849;
water in the top water bank be subject to evaporation and other losses during storage;
water in the top water bank be released for delivery to the owner or assigns of the banked water on request of the owner, subject to reasonable scheduling requirements for making the release;
water in the top water bank be the first water spilled or released for flood control purposes in anticipation of a spill, on the condition that top water bank water shall not be released or included for purposes of calculating whether a release should occur for purposes of satisfying the flow recommendations of the San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program; and
water eligible for banking in the top water bank shall be water that otherwise would have been diverted and beneficially used in New Mexico that year.
The Secretary of the Interior may charge fees to water users that use the top water bank in amounts sufficient to cover the costs incurred by the United States in administering the water bank.
Amendments to Public Law 87–483
Navajo Indian Irrigation Project
Public Law 87–483 (76 Stat. 96) is amended by striking section 2 and inserting the following:
In accordance with the Act of April 11, 1956 (commonly known as the Colorado River Storage Project Act ) (43 U.S.C. 620 et seq.), the Secretary of the Interior is authorized to construct, operate, and maintain the Navajo Indian Irrigation Project to provide irrigation water to a service area of not more than 110,630 acres of land.
Subject to paragraph (2), the average annual diversion by the Navajo Indian Irrigation Project from the Navajo Reservoir over any consecutive 10-year period shall be the lesser of—
508,000 acre-feet per year; or
the quantity of water necessary to supply an average depletion of 270,000 acre-feet per year.
The quantity of water diverted for any 1 year shall not exceed the average annual diversion determined under paragraph (1) by more than 15 percent.
In addition to being used for irrigation, the water diverted by the Navajo Indian Irrigation Project under subsection (b) may be used within the area served by Navajo Indian Irrigation Project facilities for the following purposes:
Aquaculture purposes, including the rearing of fish in support of the San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program authorized by Public Law 106–392 (114 Stat. 1602).
Domestic, industrial, or commercial purposes relating to agricultural production and processing.
The generation of hydroelectric power as an incident to the diversion of water by the Navajo Indian Irrigation Project for authorized purposes.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law—
any hydroelectric power generated under this paragraph shall be used or marketed by the Navajo Nation;
the Navajo Nation shall retain any revenues from the sale of the hydroelectric power; and
the United States shall have no trust obligation to monitor, administer, or account for the revenues received by the Navajo Nation, or the expenditure of the revenues.
The implementation of the alternate water source provisions described in subparagraph 9.2 of the agreement executed under section 401(a)(2) of the Northwestern New Mexico Rural Water Projects Act .
The Navajo Indian Irrigation Project water diverted under subsection (b) may be transferred to areas located within or outside the area served by Navajo Indian Irrigation Project facilities, and within or outside the boundaries of the Navajo Nation, for any beneficial use in accordance with—
the agreement executed under section 401(a)(2) of the Northwestern New Mexico Rural Water Projects Act ;
the contract executed under section 304(a)(2)(B) of that Act; and
any other applicable law.
The Secretary may use the capacity of the Navajo Indian Irrigation Project works to convey water supplies for—
the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project under section 302 of the Northwestern New Mexico Rural Water Projects Act ; or
other nonirrigation purposes authorized under subsection (c) or (d).
Repayment of the costs of construction of the project (as authorized in subsection (a)) shall be in accordance with the Act of April 11, 1956 (commonly known as the Colorado River Storage Project Act ) (43 U.S.C. 620 et seq.), including section 4(d) of that Act.
The Secretary shall not reallocate, or require repayment of, construction costs of the Navajo Indian Irrigation Project because of the conveyance of water supplies for nonirrigation purposes under subsection (e).
Runoff Above Navajo Dam
Section 11 of Public Law 87–483 (76 Stat. 100) is amended by adding at the end the following:
For purposes of implementing in a year of prospective shortage the water allocation procedures established by subsection (a), the Secretary of the Interior shall determine the quantity of any shortages and the appropriate apportionment of water using the normal diversion requirements on the flow of the San Juan River originating above Navajo Dam based on the following criteria:
The quantity of diversion or water delivery for the current year anticipated to be necessary to irrigate land in accordance with cropping plans prepared by contractors.
The annual diversion or water delivery demands for the current year anticipated for non-irrigation uses under water delivery contracts, including contracts authorized by the Northwestern New Mexico Rural Water Projects Act , but excluding any current demand for surface water for placement into aquifer storage for future recovery and use.
An annual normal diversion demand of 135,000 acre-feet for the initial stage of the San Juan-Chama Project authorized by section 8.
The Secretary shall not include in the normal diversion requirements—
the quantity of water that reliably can be anticipated to be diverted or delivered under a contract from inflows to the San Juan River arising below Navajo Dam under New Mexico State Engineer File No. 3215; or
the quantity of water anticipated to be supplied through reuse.
If the Secretary determines that there is a shortage of water under subsection (a), the Secretary shall respond to the shortage in the Navajo Reservoir water supply by curtailing releases and deliveries in the following order:
The demand for delivery for uses in the State of Arizona under the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project authorized by section 303 of the Northwestern New Mexico Rural Water Projects Act , excluding the quantity of water anticipated to be diverted for the uses from inflows to the San Juan River that arise below Navajo Dam in accordance with New Mexico State Engineer File No. 3215.
The demand for delivery for uses allocated under paragraph 8.2 of the agreement executed under section 401(a)(2) of the Northwestern New Mexico Rural Water Projects Act , excluding the quantity of water anticipated to be diverted for such uses under State Engineer File No. 3215.
The uses in the State of New Mexico that are determined under subsection (d), in accordance with the procedure for apportioning the water supply under subsection (a).
For any year for which the Secretary determines and responds to a shortage in the Navajo Reservoir water supply, the Secretary shall not deliver, and contractors of the water supply shall not divert, any of the water supply for placement into aquifer storage for future recovery and use.
To determine the occurrence and amount of any shortage to contracts entered into under this section, the Secretary shall not include as available storage any water stored in a top water bank in Navajo Reservoir established under section 16(a) of the Act of April 11, 1956 (commonly known as the Colorado River Storage Project Act ).
The Secretary of the Interior shall apportion water under subsections (a), (d), and (e) on an annual volume basis.
The Secretary of the Interior may revise a determination of shortages, apportionments, or allocations of water under subsections (a), (d), and (e) on the basis of information relating to water supply conditions that was not available at the time at which the determination was made.
Nothing in this section prohibits the distribution of water in accordance with cooperative water agreements between water users providing for a sharing of water supplies.
Diversions under New Mexico State Engineer File No. 3215 shall be distributed, to the maximum extent water is available, in proportionate amounts to the diversion demands of contractors and subcontractors of the Navajo Reservoir water supply that are diverting water below Navajo Dam.
Effect on Federal water law
Unless expressly provided in this Act, nothing in this Act modifies, conflicts with, preempts, or otherwise affects—
the Boulder Canyon Project Act (43 U.S.C. 617 et seq.);
the Boulder Canyon Project Adjustment Act (54 Stat. 774, chapter 643);
the Act of April 11, 1956 (commonly known as the Colorado River Storage Project Act ) (43 U.S.C. 620 et seq.);
the Act of September 30, 1968 (commonly known as the Colorado River Basin Project Act ) (82 Stat. 885);
Public Law 87–483 (76 Stat. 96);
the Treaty between the United States of America and Mexico representing utilization of waters of the Colorado and Tijuana Rivers and of the Rio Grande, signed at Washington February 3, 1944 (59 Stat. 1219);
the Colorado River Compact of 1922, as approved by the Presidential Proclamation of June 25, 1929 (46 Stat. 3000);
the Act of April 6, 1949 (63 Stat. 31, chapter 48);
the Jicarilla Apache Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act (106 Stat. 2237); or
section 205 of the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, 2005 (118 Stat. 2949).
Reclamation Water Settlements Fund
Reclamation Water Settlements Fund
There is established in the Treasury of the United States a fund, to be known as the Reclamation Water Settlements Fund , consisting of—
such amounts as are deposited to the Fund under subsection (b); and
any interest earned on investment of amounts in the Fund under subsection (d).
Deposits to Fund
For each of fiscal years 2009 through 2023, the Secretary of the Treasury shall deposit in the Fund, if available, $120,000,000 of the revenues that would otherwise be deposited for the fiscal year in the fund established by the first section of the Act of June 17, 1902 (32 Stat. 388, chapter 1093).
Availability of amounts
Amounts deposited in the Fund under paragraph (1) shall be made available pursuant to this section—
without further appropriation; and
in addition to amounts appropriated pursuant to any authorization contained in any other provision of law.
Expenditures from Fund
Subject to subparagraph (B), for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2028, the Secretary may expend from the Fund an amount not to exceed $120,000,000, plus the interest accrued in the Fund, for the fiscal year in which expenditures are made pursuant to paragraphs (2) and (3).
The Secretary may expend more than $120,000,000 for any fiscal year if such amounts are available in the Fund due to expenditures not reaching $120,000,000 for prior fiscal years.
The Secretary may expend money from the Fund to implement a settlement agreement approved by Congress that resolves, in whole or in part, litigation involving the United States, if the settlement agreement or implementing legislation requires the Bureau of Reclamation to provide financial assistance for, or plan, design, and construct—
water supply infrastructure; or
to rehabilitate a water delivery system to conserve water; or
to restore fish and wildlife habitat or otherwise improve environmental conditions associated with or affected by, or located within the same river basin as, a Federal reclamation project that is in existence on the date of enactment of this Act.
Use for completion of project and other settlements
The first priority for expenditure of amounts in the Fund during the entire period in which the Fund is in existence shall be for the purposes described in, and in the order of, clauses (i) through (iv) of subparagraph (B).
The Secretary shall reserve amounts deposited into the Fund in accordance with subclause (I).
Any amounts in the Fund that are not needed for the purposes described in subparagraph (B) may be used for other purposes authorized in paragraph (2).
Completion of project
Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project
Subject to subclause (II), effective beginning January 1, 2009, if, in the judgment of the Secretary on an annual basis the deadline described in section 401(f)(1)(A)(ix) is unlikely to be met because a sufficient amount of funding is not otherwise available through appropriations made available pursuant to section 309(a), the Secretary shall expend from the Fund such amounts on an annual basis consistent with paragraphs (1) and (2), as are necessary to pay the Federal share of the costs, and substantially complete as expeditiously as practicable, the construction of the water supply infrastructure authorized as part of the Project.
Except as provided under item (bb), the amount expended under subclause (I) shall not exceed $500,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2009 through 2018.
The limitation on the expenditure amount under item (aa) may be exceeded during the entire period in which the Fund is in existence.
Other New Mexico settlements
Subject to subclause (II), effective beginning January 1, 2009, in addition to the funding made available under clause (i), if in the judgment of the Secretary on an annual basis a sufficient amount of funding is not otherwise available through annual appropriations, the Secretary shall expend from the Fund such amounts on an annual basis consistent with paragraphs (1) and (2), as are necessary to pay the Federal share of the costs of implementing the Indian water rights settlement agreements entered into by the State of New Mexico in the Aamodt adjudication and the Abeyta adjudication, if such settlements are subsequently approved and authorized by an Act of Congress.
The amount expended under subclause (I) shall not exceed $250,000,000.
Subject to subclause (II), effective beginning January 1, 2009, in addition to funding made available pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii), if in the judgment of the Secretary on an annual basis a sufficient amount of funding is not otherwise available through annual appropriations, the Secretary shall expend from the Fund such amounts on an annual basis consistent with paragraphs (1) and (2), as are necessary to pay the Federal share of the costs of implementing Indian water rights settlement agreements entered into by the State of Montana with the Blackfeet Tribe, the Crow Tribe, or the Gros Ventre and Assiniboine Tribes of the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation in the judicial proceeding entitled In re the General Adjudication of All the Rights to Use Surface and Groundwater in the State of Montana , if a settlement or settlements are subsequently approved and authorized by an Act of Congress.
Except as provided under item (bb), the amount expended under subclause (I) shall not exceed $350,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2009 through 2018.
The limitation on the expenditure amount under item (aa) may be exceeded during the entire period in which the Fund is in existence.
The Secretary shall ensure that any such funding shall be provided in a manner that does not limit the funding available pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii).
Subject to subclause (II), effective beginning January 1, 2009, in addition to funding made available pursuant to clauses (i), (ii), and (iii), if in the judgment of the Secretary on an annual basis a sufficient amount of funding is not otherwise available through annual appropriations, the Secretary shall expend from the Fund such amounts on an annual basis consistent with paragraphs (1) and (2), as are necessary to pay the Federal share of the costs of implementing an Indian water rights settlement agreement entered into by the State of Arizona with the Navajo Nation to resolve the water rights claims of the Nation in the Lower Colorado River basin in Arizona, if a settlement is subsequently approved and authorized by an Act of Congress.
Except as provided under item (bb), the amount expended under subclause (I) shall not exceed $100,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2009 through 2018.
The limitation on the expenditure amount under item (aa) may be exceeded during the entire period in which the Fund is in existence.
The Secretary shall ensure that any such funding shall be provided in a manner that does not limit the funding available pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii).
If the settlements described in clauses (ii) through (iv) of subparagraph (B) have not been approved and authorized by an Act of Congress by December 31, 2014, the amounts reserved for the settlements shall no longer be reserved by the Secretary pursuant to subparagraph (A)(i) and shall revert to the Fund for any authorized use, as determined by the Secretary.
Investment of amounts
The Secretary shall invest such portion of the Fund as is not, in the judgment of the Secretary, required to meet current withdrawals.
Credits to Fund
The interest on, and the proceeds from the sale or redemption of, any obligations held in the Fund shall be credited to, and form a part of, the Fund.
Transfers of amounts
The amounts required to be transferred to the Fund under this section shall be transferred at least monthly from the general fund of the Treasury to the Fund on the basis of estimates made by the Secretary of the Treasury.
Proper adjustment shall be made in amounts subsequently transferred to the extent prior estimates were in excess of or less than the amounts required to be transferred.
On September 30, 2028—
the Fund shall terminate; and
the unexpended and unobligated balance of the Fund shall be transferred to the appropriate fund of the Treasury.
Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project
The purposes of this subtitle are—
to authorize the Secretary to construct, operate, and maintain the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project;
to allocate the capacity of the Project among the Nation, the City, and the Jicarilla Apache Nation; and
to authorize the Secretary to enter into Project repayment contracts with the City and the Jicarilla Apache Nation.
Authorization of Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project
The Secretary, acting through the Commissioner of Reclamation, is authorized to design, construct, operate, and maintain the Project in substantial accordance with the preferred alternative in the Draft Impact Statement.
To provide for the delivery of San Juan River water to Project Participants, the Secretary may construct, operate, and maintain the Project facilities described in the preferred alternative in the Draft Impact Statement, including:
A pumping plant on the San Juan River in the vicinity of Kirtland, New Mexico.
A main pipeline from the San Juan River near Kirtland, New Mexico, to Shiprock, New Mexico, and Gallup, New Mexico, which follows United States Highway 491.
Any pumping plants associated with the pipeline authorized under subparagraph (A).
A main pipeline from Cutter Reservoir to Ojo Encino, New Mexico, which follows United States Highway 550.
Any pumping plants associated with the pipeline authorized under subparagraph (A).
Lateral pipelines from the main pipelines to Nation communities in the States of New Mexico and Arizona.
Any pumping plants associated with the pipelines authorized under subparagraph (A).
Any water regulation, storage or treatment facility, service connection to an existing public water supply system, power substation, power distribution works, or other appurtenant works (including a building or access road) that is related to the Project facilities authorized by paragraphs (1) through (4), including power transmission facilities and associated wheeling services to connect Project facilities to existing high-voltage transmission facilities and deliver power to the Project.
Acquisition of land
The Secretary is authorized to acquire any land or interest in land that is necessary to construct, operate, and maintain the Project facilities authorized under subsection (b).
Land of the project participants
As a condition of construction of the facilities authorized under this title, the Project Participants shall provide all land or interest in land, as appropriate, that the Secretary identifies as necessary for acquisition under this subsection at no cost to the Secretary.
The Secretary may not condemn water rights for purposes of the Project.
Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Secretary shall not commence construction of the facilities authorized under subsection (b) until such time as—
the Secretary executes the Agreement and the Contract;
the contracts authorized under section 304 are executed;
completes an environmental impact statement for the Project; and
has issued a record of decision that provides for a preferred alternative; and
the Secretary has entered into an agreement with the State of New Mexico under which the State of New Mexico will provide a share of the construction costs of the Project of not less than $50,000,000, except that the State of New Mexico shall receive credit for funds the State has contributed to construct water conveyance facilities to the Project Participants to the extent that the facilities reduce the cost of the Project as estimated in the Draft Impact Statement.
If the Jicarilla Apache Nation elects not to enter into a contract pursuant to section 304, the Secretary, after consulting with the Nation, the City, and the State of New Mexico acting through the Interstate Stream Commission, may make appropriate modifications to the scope of the Project and proceed with Project construction if all other conditions for construction have been satisfied.
Effect of Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act
The Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450 et seq.) shall not apply to the design, construction, operation, maintenance, or replacement of the Project.
The Secretary shall reserve, from existing reservations of Colorado River Storage Project power for Bureau of Reclamation projects, up to 26 megawatts of power for use by the Project.
Conveyance of title to project facilities
The Secretary is authorized to enter into separate agreements with the City and the Nation and, on entering into the agreements, shall convey title to each Project facility or section of a Project facility authorized under subsection (b) (including any appropriate interests in land) to the City and the Nation after—
completion of construction of a Project facility or a section of a Project facility that is operating and delivering water; and
execution of a Project operations agreement approved by the Secretary and the Project Participants that sets forth—
any terms and conditions that the Secretary determines are necessary—
to ensure the continuation of the intended benefits of the Project; and
to fulfill the purposes of this subtitle;
requirements acceptable to the Secretary and the Project Participants for—
the distribution of water under the Project or section of a Project facility; and
the allocation and payment of annual operation, maintenance, and replacement costs of the Project or section of a Project facility based on the proportionate uses of Project facilities; and
conditions and requirements acceptable to the Secretary and the Project Participants for operating and maintaining each Project facility on completion of the conveyance of title, including the requirement that the City and the Nation shall—
the Compact; and
other applicable law; and
be responsible for—
the operation, maintenance, and replacement of each Project facility; and
the accounting and management of water conveyance and Project finances, as necessary to administer and fulfill the conditions of the Contract executed under section 304(a)(2)(B).
Effect of conveyance
The conveyance of title to each Project facility shall not affect the application of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) relating to the use of the water associated with the Project.
Effective on the date of the conveyance authorized by this subsection, the United States shall not be held liable by any court for damages of any kind arising out of any act, omission, or occurrence relating to the land, buildings, or facilities conveyed under this subsection, other than damages caused by acts of negligence committed by the United States, or by employees or agents of the United States, prior to the date of conveyance.
Nothing in this section increases the liability of the United States beyond the liability provided in chapter 171 of title 28, United States Code (commonly known as the Federal Tort Claims Act ).
Notice of proposed conveyance
Not later than 45 days before the date of a proposed conveyance of title to any Project facility, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives and to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate notice of the conveyance of each Project facility.
Colorado river storage project power
The conveyance of Project facilities under subsection (f) shall not affect the availability of Colorado River Storage Project power to the Project under subsection (e).
Regional use of project facilities
Subject to paragraph (2), Project facilities constructed under subsection (b) may be used to treat and convey non-Project water or water that is not allocated by subsection 303(b) if—
capacity is available without impairing any water delivery to a Project Participant; and
the unallocated or non-Project water beneficiary—
has the right to use the water;
agrees to pay the operation, maintenance, and replacement costs assignable to the beneficiary for the use of the Project facilities; and
agrees to pay an appropriate fee that may be established by the Secretary to assist in the recovery of any capital cost allocable to that use.
Effect of payments
Any payments to the United States or the Nation for the use of unused capacity under this subsection or for water under any subcontract with the Nation or the Jicarilla Apache Nation shall not alter the construction repayment requirements or the operation, maintenance, and replacement payment requirements of the Project Participants.
Delivery and use of Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project water
Use of project water
In accordance with this Act and other applicable law, water supply from the Project shall be used for municipal, industrial, commercial, domestic, and stock watering purposes.
Use on certain land
Subject to subparagraph (B), the Nation may use Project water allocations on—
land held by the United States in trust for the Nation and members of the Nation; and
land held in fee by the Nation.
The Nation may transfer the purposes and places of use of the allocated water in accordance with the Agreement and applicable law.
Hydroelectric power may be generated as an incident to the delivery of Project water for authorized purposes under paragraph (1).
Notwithstanding any other provision of law—
any hydroelectric power generated under this paragraph shall be used or marketed by the Nation;
the Nation shall retain any revenues from the sale of the hydroelectric power; and
the United States shall have no trust obligation or other obligation to monitor, administer, or account for the revenues received by the Nation, or the expenditure of the revenues.
Subject to subparagraph (B), any water contracted for delivery under paragraph (1) that is not needed for current water demands or uses may be delivered by the Project for placement in underground storage in the State of New Mexico for future recovery and use.
Delivery of water under subparagraph (A) is subject to—
approval by the State of New Mexico under applicable provisions of State law relating to aquifer storage and recovery; and
the provisions of the Agreement and this Act.
Project water and capacity allocations
Subject to availability and consistent with Federal and State law, the Project may divert from the Navajo Reservoir and the San Juan River a quantity of water to be allocated and used consistent with the Agreement and this Act, that does not exceed in any 1 year, the lesser of—
37,760 acre-feet of water; or
the quantity of water necessary to supply a depletion from the San Juan River of 35,890 acre-feet.
Project delivery capacity allocations
The capacity of the Project shall be allocated to the Project Participants in accordance with subparagraphs (B) through (E), other provisions of this Act, and other applicable law.
Delivery capacity allocation to the City
The Project may deliver at the point of diversion from the San Juan River not more than 7,500 acre-feet of water in any 1 year for which the City has secured rights for the use of the City.
Delivery capacity allocation to Navajo Nation communities in New Mexico
For use by the Nation in the State of New Mexico, the Project may deliver water out of the water rights held by the Secretary for the Nation and confirmed under this Act, at the points of diversion from the San Juan River or at Navajo Reservoir in any 1 year, the lesser of—
22,650 acre-feet of water; or
the quantity of water necessary to supply a depletion from the San Juan River of 20,780 acre-feet of water.
Delivery capacity allocation to Navajo Nation communities in Arizona
Subject to subsection (c), the Project may deliver at the point of diversion from the San Juan River not more than 6,411 acre-feet of water in any 1 year for use by the Nation in the State of Arizona.
Delivery capacity allocation to Jicarilla Apache Nation
The Project may deliver at Navajo Reservoir not more than 1,200 acre-feet of water in any 1 year of the water rights of the Jicarilla Apache Nation, held by the Secretary and confirmed by the Jicarilla Apache Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act (Public Law 102–441; 106 Stat. 2237), for use by the Jicarilla Apache Nation in the southern portion of the Jicarilla Apache Nation Reservation in the State of New Mexico.
Use in excess of delivery capacity allocation quantity
Notwithstanding each delivery capacity allocation quantity limit described in subparagraphs (B), (C), and (E) of paragraph (2), the Secretary may authorize a Project Participant to exceed the delivery capacity allocation quantity limit of that Project Participant if—
delivery capacity is available without impairing any water delivery to any other Project Participant; and
the Project Participant benefitting from the increased allocation of delivery capacity—
has the right under applicable law to use the additional water;
agrees to pay the operation, maintenance, and replacement costs relating to the additional use of any Project facility; and
agrees, if the Project title is held by the Secretary, to pay a fee established by the Secretary to assist in recovering capital costs relating to that additional use.
Conditions for use in Arizona
Project water shall not be delivered for use by any community of the Nation located in the State of Arizona under subsection (b)(2)(D) until—
the Nation and the State of Arizona have entered into a water rights settlement agreement approved by an Act of Congress that specifies the allocation of Colorado River System water to which the use in Arizona will be charged; and
the Secretary has determined by hydrologic investigation that sufficient water is reasonably likely to be available to supply the use in the State of Arizona from water of the Colorado River system allocated to the State.
Accounting of uses in Arizona
Pursuant to paragraph (1), any depletion of water from the San Juan River stream system in the State of New Mexico that results from the diversion of water by the Project for uses within the State of Arizona (including depletion incidental to the diversion, impounding, or conveyance of water in the State of New Mexico for uses in the State of Arizona)—
shall be accounted for as a part of the Colorado River System apportionments to the State of Arizona; and
shall not increase the total quantity of water to which the State of Arizona is entitled to use under any compact, statute, or court decree.
Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), during any year in which a shortage to the normal diversion requirement for any use relating to the Project within the State of Arizona occurs (as determined under section 11 of Public Law 87–483 (76 Stat. 99)), the Nation may temporarily forbear the delivery of the water supply of the Navajo Reservoir for uses in the State of New Mexico under the apportionments of water to the Navajo Indian Irrigation Project and the normal diversion requirements of the Project to allow an equivalent quantity of water to be delivered from the Navajo Reservoir water supply for municipal and domestic uses of the Nation in the State of Arizona under the Project.
Limitation of forbearance
The Nation may forebear the delivery of water under paragraph (1) of a quantity not exceeding the quantity of the shortage to the normal diversion requirement for any use relating to the Project within the State of Arizona.
The forbearance of the delivery of water under paragraph (1) shall be subject to the requirements in subsection (c).
Nothing in this Act—
authorizes the marketing, leasing, or transfer of the water supplies made available to the Nation under the Contract to non-Navajo water users in States other than the State of New Mexico; or
authorizes the forbearance of water uses in the State of New Mexico to allow uses of water in other States other than as authorized under subsection (d).
Colorado River Compacts
Notwithstanding any other provision of law—
water may be diverted by the Project from the San Juan River in the State of New Mexico for use within New Mexico in the lower basin, as that term is used in the Colorado River Compact;
any water diverted under paragraph (1) shall be a part of, and charged against, the consumptive use apportionment made to the State of New Mexico by Article III(a) of the Compact and to the upper basin by Article III(a) of the Colorado River Compact; and
any water so diverted by the Project into the lower basin within the State of New Mexico shall not be credited as water reaching Lee Ferry pursuant to Articles III(c) and III(d) of the Colorado River Compact.
Payment of operation, maintenance, and replacement costs
The Secretary is authorized to pay the operation, maintenance, and replacement costs of the Project allocable to the Project Participants under section 304 until the date on which the Secretary declares any section of the Project to be substantially complete and delivery of water generated by, and through, that section of the Project can be made to a Project participant.
Project Participant payments
Beginning on the date described in paragraph (1), each Project Participant shall pay all allocated operation, maintenance, and replacement costs for that substantially completed section of the Project, in accordance with contracts entered into pursuant to section 304, except as provided in section 304(f).
Navajo Nation contract
Congress recognizes that the Hydrologic Determination necessary to support approval of the Contract has been completed.
Except to the extent that any provision of the Contract conflicts with this Act, Congress approves, ratifies, and confirms the Contract.
To the extent any amendment is executed to make the Contract consistent with this Act, that amendment is authorized, ratified, and confirmed.
Execution of contract
The Secretary, acting on behalf of the United States, shall enter into the Contract to the extent that the Contract does not conflict with this Act (including any amendment that is required to make the Contract consistent with this Act).
Nonreimbursability of allocated costs
The following costs shall be nonreimbursable and not subject to repayment by the Nation or any other Project beneficiary:
Any share of the construction costs of the Nation relating to the Project authorized by section 302(a).
Any costs relating to the construction of the Navajo Indian Irrigation Project that may otherwise be allocable to the Nation for use of any facility of the Navajo Indian Irrigation Project to convey water to each Navajo community under the Project.
Any costs relating to the construction of Navajo Dam that may otherwise be allocable to the Nation for water deliveries under the Contract.
Operation, maintenance, and replacement obligation
Subject to subsection (f), the Contract shall include provisions under which the Nation shall pay any costs relating to the operation, maintenance, and replacement of each facility of the Project that are allocable to the Nation.
Limitation, cancellation, termination, and rescission
The Contract may be limited by a term of years, canceled, terminated, or rescinded only by an Act of Congress.
City of Gallup contract
Consistent with this Act, the Secretary is authorized to enter into a repayment contract with the City that requires the City—
to repay, within a 50-year period, the share of the construction costs of the City relating to the Project, with interest as provided under section 5; and
consistent with section 303(g), to pay the operation, maintenance, and replacement costs of the Project that are allocable to the City.
The contract authorized under paragraph (1) may allow the City to satisfy the repayment obligation of the City for construction costs of the Project on the payment of the share of the City prior to the initiation of construction.
The amount of the share of the City described in subparagraph (A) shall be determined by agreement between the Secretary and the City.
Any repayment obligation established by the Secretary and the City pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall be subject to a final cost allocation by the Secretary on project completion and to the limitations set forth in paragraph (3).
Share of construction costs
Subject to subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall determine the share of the construction costs of the Project allocable to the City and establish the percentage of the allocated construction costs that the City shall be required to repay pursuant to the contract entered into under paragraph (1), based on the ability of the City to pay.
Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), the repayment obligation of the City shall be at least 25 percent of the construction costs of the Project that are allocable to the City, but shall in no event exceed 35 percent.
Excess construction costs
Any construction costs of the Project allocable to the City in excess of the repayment obligation of the City, as determined under paragraph (3), shall be nonreimbursable.
A grant from any other Federal source shall not be credited toward the amount required to be repaid by the City under a repayment contract.
If title is transferred to the City prior to repayment under section 302(f), the City shall be required to provide assurances satisfactory to the Secretary of fulfillment of the remaining repayment obligation of the City.
Water delivery subcontract
The Secretary shall not enter into a contract under paragraph (1) with the City until the City has secured a water supply for the City's portion of the Project described in section 303(b)(2)(B), by entering into, as approved by the Secretary, a water delivery subcontract for a period of not less than 40 years beginning on the date on which the construction of any facility of the Project serving the City is completed, with—
the Nation, as authorized by the Contract;
the Jicarilla Apache Nation, as authorized by the settlement contract between the United States and the Jicarilla Apache Tribe, authorized by the Jicarilla Apache Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act (Public Law 102–441; 106 Stat. 2237); or
an acquired alternate source of water, subject to approval of the Secretary and the State of New Mexico, acting through the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission and the New Mexico State Engineer.
Jicarilla Apache Nation contract
Consistent with this Act, the Secretary is authorized to enter into a repayment contract with the Jicarilla Apache Nation that requires the Jicarilla Apache Nation—
to repay, within a 50-year period, the share of any construction cost of the Jicarilla Apache Nation relating to the Project, with interest as provided under section 5; and
consistent with section 303(g), to pay the operation, maintenance, and replacement costs of the Project that are allocable to the Jicarilla Apache Nation.
The contract authorized under paragraph (1) may allow the Jicarilla Apache Nation to satisfy the repayment obligation of the Jicarilla Apache Nation for construction costs of the Project on the payment of the share of the Jicarilla Apache Nation prior to the initiation of construction.
The amount of the share of Jicarilla Apache Nation described in subparagraph (A) shall be determined by agreement between the Secretary and the Jicarilla Apache Nation.
Any repayment obligation established by the Secretary and the Jicarilla Apache Nation pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall be subject to a final cost allocation by the Secretary on project completion and to the limitations set forth in paragraph (3).
Share of construction costs
Subject to subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall determine the share of the construction costs of the Project allocable to the Jicarilla Apache Nation and establish the percentage of the allocated construction costs of the Jicarilla Apache Nation that the Jicarilla Apache Nation shall be required to repay based on the ability of the Jicarilla Apache Nation to pay.
Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), the repayment obligation of the Jicarilla Apache Nation shall be at least 25 percent of the construction costs of the Project that are allocable to the Jicarilla Apache Nation, but shall in no event exceed 35 percent.
Excess construction costs
Any construction costs of the Project allocable to the Jicarilla Apache Nation in excess of the repayment obligation of the Jicarilla Apache Nation as determined under paragraph (3), shall be nonreimbursable.
A grant from any other Federal source shall not be credited toward the share of the Jicarilla Apache Nation of construction costs.
Navajo Indian Irrigation Project costs
The Jicarilla Apache Nation shall have no obligation to repay any Navajo Indian Irrigation Project construction costs that might otherwise be allocable to the Jicarilla Apache Nation for use of the Navajo Indian Irrigation Project facilities to convey water to the Jicarilla Apache Nation, and any such costs shall be nonreimbursable.
Capital cost allocations
For purposes of estimating the capital repayment requirements of the Project Participants under this section, the Secretary shall review and, as appropriate, update the Draft Impact Statement allocating capital construction costs for the Project.
Final cost allocation
The repayment contracts entered into with Project Participants under this section shall require that the Secretary perform a final cost allocation when construction of the Project is determined to be substantially complete.
The Secretary shall determine the repayment obligation of the Project Participants based on the final cost allocation identifying reimbursable and nonreimbursable capital costs of the Project consistent with this Act.
Operation, maintenance, and replacement cost allocations
For purposes of determining the operation, maintenance, and replacement obligations of the Project Participants under this section, the Secretary shall review and, as appropriate, update the Draft Impact Statement that allocates operation, maintenance, and replacement costs for the Project.
Temporary waivers of payments
On the date on which the Secretary declares a section of the Project to be substantially complete and delivery of water generated by and through that section of the Project can be made to the Nation, the Secretary may waive, for a period of not more than 10 years, the operation, maintenance, and replacement costs allocable to the Nation for that section of the Project that the Secretary determines are in excess of the ability of the Nation to pay.
Subsequent payment by Nation
After a waiver under paragraph (1), the Nation shall pay all allocated operation, maintenance, and replacement costs of that section of the Project.
Payment by United States
Any operation, maintenance, or replacement costs waived by the Secretary under paragraph (1) shall be paid by the United States and shall be nonreimbursable.
Effect on contracts
Failure of the Secretary to waive costs under paragraph (1) because of a lack of availability of Federal funding to pay the costs under paragraph (3) shall not alter the obligations of the Nation or the United States under a repayment contract.
Termination of authority
The authority of the Secretary to waive costs under paragraph (1) with respect to a Project facility transferred to the Nation under section 302(f) shall terminate on the date on which the Project facility is transferred.
Project construction committee
The Secretary shall facilitate the formation of a project construction committee with the Project Participants and the State of New Mexico—
to review cost factors and budgets for construction and operation and maintenance activities;
to improve construction management through enhanced communication; and
to seek additional ways to reduce overall Project costs.
Navajo Nation Municipal Pipeline
Use of navajo nation pipeline
In addition to use of the Navajo Nation Municipal Pipeline to convey the Animas-La Plata Project water of the Nation, the Nation may use the Navajo Nation Municipal Pipeline to convey non-Animas La Plata Project water for municipal and industrial purposes.
Conveyance of title to pipeline
On completion of the Navajo Nation Municipal Pipeline, the Secretary may enter into separate agreements with the City of Farmington, New Mexico and the Nation to convey title to each portion of the Navajo Nation Municipal Pipeline facility or section of the Pipeline to the City of Farmington and the Nation after execution of a Project operations agreement approved by the Secretary, the Nation, and the City of Farmington that sets forth any terms and conditions that the Secretary determines are necessary.
Conveyance to the City of Farmington or Navajo Nation
In conveying title to the Navajo Nation Municipal Pipeline under this subsection, the Secretary shall convey—
to the City of Farmington, the facilities and any land or interest in land acquired by the United States for the construction, operation, and maintenance of the Pipeline that are located within the corporate boundaries of the City; and
to the Nation, the facilities and any land or interests in land acquired by the United States for the construction, operation, and maintenance of the Pipeline that are located outside the corporate boundaries of the City of Farmington.
Effect of conveyance
The conveyance of title to the Pipeline shall not affect the application of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) relating to the use of water associated with the Animas-La Plata Project.
Effective on the date of the conveyance authorized by this subsection, the United States shall not be held liable by any court for damages of any kind arising out of any act, omission, or occurrence relating to the land, buildings, or facilities conveyed under this subsection, other than damages caused by acts of negligence committed by the United States or by employees or agents of the United States prior to the date of conveyance.
Nothing in this subsection increases the liability of the United States beyond the liability provided under chapter 171 of title 28, United States Code (commonly known as the Federal Tort Claims Act ).
Notice of proposed conveyance
Not later than 45 days before the date of a proposed conveyance of title to the Pipeline, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate, notice of the conveyance of the Pipeline.
Authorization of conjunctive use wells
Conjunctive groundwater development plan
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Nation, in consultation with the Secretary, shall complete a conjunctive groundwater development plan for the wells described in subsections (b) and (c).
Wells in the San Juan River Basin
In accordance with the conjunctive groundwater development plan, the Secretary may construct or rehabilitate wells and related pipeline facilities to provide capacity for the diversion and distribution of not more than 1,670 acre-feet of groundwater in the San Juan River Basin in the State of New Mexico for municipal and domestic uses.
Wells in the little Colorado and rio grande basins
In accordance with the Project and conjunctive groundwater development plan for the Nation, the Secretary may construct or rehabilitate wells and related pipeline facilities to provide capacity for the diversion and distribution of—
not more than 680 acre-feet of groundwater in the Little Colorado River Basin in the State of New Mexico;
not more than 80 acre-feet of groundwater in the Rio Grande Basin in the State of New Mexico; and
not more than 770 acre-feet of groundwater in the Little Colorado River Basin in the State of Arizona.
Groundwater diverted and distributed under paragraph (1) shall be used for municipal and domestic uses.
Acquisition of land
Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Secretary may acquire any land or interest in land that is necessary for the construction, operation, and maintenance of the wells and related pipeline facilities authorized under subsections (b) and (c).
Nothing in this subsection authorizes the Secretary to condemn water rights for the purposes described in paragraph (1).
The Secretary shall not commence any construction activity relating to the wells described in subsections (b) and (c) until the Secretary executes the Agreement.
Conveyance of wells
On the determination of the Secretary that the wells and related facilities are substantially complete and delivery of water generated by the wells can be made to the Nation, an agreement with the Nation shall be entered into, to convey to the Nation title to—
any well or related pipeline facility constructed or rehabilitated under subsections (a) and (b) after the wells and related facilities have been completed; and
any land or interest in land acquired by the United States for the construction, operation, and maintenance of the well or related pipeline facility.
Operation, maintenance, and replacement
The Secretary is authorized to pay operation and maintenance costs for the wells and related pipeline facilities authorized under this subsection until title to the facilities is conveyed to the Nation.
Subsequent assumption by Nation
On completion of a conveyance of title under paragraph (1), the Nation shall assume all responsibility for the operation and maintenance of the well or related pipeline facility conveyed.
Effect of conveyance
The conveyance of title to the Nation of the conjunctive use wells under paragraph (1) shall not affect the application of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
Use of project facilities
The capacities of the treatment facilities, main pipelines, and lateral pipelines of the Project authorized by section 302(b) may be used to treat and convey groundwater to Nation communities if the Nation provides for payment of the operation, maintenance, and replacement costs associated with the use of the facilities or pipelines.
The diversion and use of groundwater by wells constructed or rehabilitated under this section shall be made in a manner consistent with applicable Federal and State law.
San Juan River Navajo Irrigation Projects
Subject to subsection (b), the Secretary shall rehabilitate—
the Fruitland-Cambridge Irrigation Project to serve not more than 3,335 acres of land, which shall be considered to be the total serviceable area of the project; and
the Hogback-Cudei Irrigation Project to serve not more than 8,830 acres of land, which shall be considered to be the total serviceable area of the project.
The Secretary shall not commence any construction activity relating to the rehabilitation of the Fruitland-Cambridge Irrigation Project or the Hogback-Cudei Irrigation Project under subsection (a) until the Secretary executes the Agreement.
Operation, maintenance, and replacement obligation
The Nation shall continue to be responsible for the operation, maintenance, and replacement of each facility rehabilitated under this section.
Other irrigation projects
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the State of New Mexico (acting through the Interstate Stream Commission) and the Non-Navajo Irrigation Districts that elect to participate, shall—
conduct a study of Non-Navajo Irrigation District diversion and ditch facilities; and
based on the study, identify and prioritize a list of projects, with associated cost estimates, that are recommended to be implemented to repair, rehabilitate, or reconstruct irrigation diversion and ditch facilities to improve water use efficiency.
The Secretary may provide grants to, and enter into cooperative agreements with, the Non-Navajo Irrigation Districts to plan, design, or otherwise implement the projects identified under subsection (a)(2).
The Federal share of the total cost of carrying out a project under subsection (b) shall be not more than 50 percent, and shall be nonreimbursable.
The non-Federal share required under paragraph (1) may be in the form of in-kind contributions, including the contribution of any valuable asset or service that the Secretary determines would substantially contribute to a project carried out under subsection (b).
The Secretary may accept from the State of New Mexico a partial or total contribution toward the non-Federal share for a project carried out under subsection (b).
Authorization of appropriations
Authorization of appropriations for Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to plan, design, and construct the Project $870,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2009 through 2024, to remain available until expended.
The amount under paragraph (1) shall be adjusted by such amounts as may be required by reason of changes since 2007 in construction costs, as indicated by engineering cost indices applicable to the types of construction involved.
In addition to the uses authorized under paragraph (1), amounts made available under that paragraph may be used for the conduct of related activities to comply with Federal environmental laws.
Operation and maintenance
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to operate and maintain the Project consistent with this Act.
The authorization under subparagraph (A) shall expire 10 years after the year the Secretary declares the Project to be substantially complete.
Appropriations for conjunctive use wells
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for the construction or rehabilitation and operation and maintenance of conjunctive use wells under section 306(b) $30,000,000, as adjusted under paragraph (3), for the period of fiscal years 2009 through 2019.
Wells in the little Colorado and rio grande basins
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for the construction or rehabilitation and operation and maintenance of conjunctive use wells under section 306(c) such sums as are necessary for the period of fiscal years 2009 through 2024.
The amount under paragraph (1) shall be adjusted by such amounts as may be required by reason of changes since 2008 in construction costs, as indicated by engineering cost indices applicable to the types of construction or rehabilitation involved.
Amounts made available under paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be nonreimbursable to the United States.
In addition to the uses authorized under paragraphs (1) and (2), amounts made available under that paragraph may be used for the conduct of related activities to comply with Federal environmental laws.
Appropriations authorized under paragraph (1) shall not be used for operation or maintenance of any conjunctive use wells at a time in excess of 3 years after the well is declared substantially complete.
San Juan River Irrigation Projects
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary—
to carry out section 307(a)(1), not more than $7,700,000, as adjusted under paragraph (2), for the period of fiscal years 2009 through 2015, to remain available until expended; and
to carry out section 307(a)(2), not more than $15,400,000, as adjusted under paragraph (2), for the period of fiscal years 2009 through 2018, to remain available until expended.
The amounts made available under paragraph (1) shall be adjusted by such amounts as may be required by reason of changes since January 1, 2004, in construction costs, as indicated by engineering cost indices applicable to the types of construction involved in the rehabilitation.
Amounts made available under this subsection shall be nonreimbursable to the United States.
Other irrigation projects
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out section 308 $11,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2009 through 2018.
The Secretary may use not more than 2 percent of amounts made available under subsections (a), (b), and (c) for the survey, recovery, protection, preservation, and display of archaeological resources in the area of a Project facility or conjunctive use well.
Any amounts made available under paragraph (1) shall be nonreimbursable.
Fish and wildlife facilities
In association with the development of the Project, the Secretary may use not more than 4 percent of amounts made available under subsections (a), (b), and (c) to purchase land and construct and maintain facilities to mitigate the loss of, and improve conditions for the propagation of, fish and wildlife if any such purchase, construction, or maintenance will not affect the operation of any water project or use of water.
Any amounts expended under paragraph (1) shall be nonreimbursable.
Navajo Nation water rights
Approval by congress
Except to the extent that any provision of the Agreement conflicts with this Act, Congress approves, ratifies, and confirms the Agreement (including any amendments to the Agreement that are executed to make the Agreement consistent with this Act).
Execution by secretary
The Secretary shall enter into the Agreement to the extent that the Agreement does not conflict with this Act, including—
any exhibits to the Agreement requiring the signature of the Secretary; and
any amendments to the Agreement necessary to make the Agreement consistent with this Act.
Authority of secretary
The Secretary may carry out any action that the Secretary determines is necessary or appropriate to implement the Agreement, the Contract, and this section.
Administration of navajo reservoir releases
The State of New Mexico may administer water that has been released from storage in Navajo Reservoir in accordance with subparagraph 9.1 of the Agreement.
Water available under contract
Quantities of water available
Water shall be made available annually under the Contract for projects in the State of New Mexico supplied from the Navajo Reservoir and the San Juan River (including tributaries of the River) under New Mexico State Engineer File Numbers 2849, 2883, and 3215 in the quantities described in subparagraph (B).
The quantities of water referred to in subparagraph (A) are as follows:
| Diversion (acre-feet/year) | Depletion (acre-feet/year) | |
| Navajo Indian Irrigation Project | 508,000 | 270,000 |
| Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project | 22,650 | 20,780 |
| Animas-La Plata Project | 4,680 | 2,340 |
| Total | 535,330 | 293,120 |
A diversion of water to the Nation under the Contract for a project described in subparagraph (B) shall not exceed the quantity of water necessary to supply the amount of depletion for the project.
Terms, conditions, and limitations
The diversion and use of water under the Contract shall be subject to and consistent with the terms, conditions, and limitations of the Agreement, this Act, and any other applicable law.
Amendments to contract
The Secretary, with the consent of the Nation, may amend the Contract if the Secretary determines that the amendment is—
consistent with the Agreement; and
in the interest of conserving water or facilitating beneficial use by the Nation or a subcontractor of the Nation.
Rights of the Nation
The Nation may, under the Contract—
use tail water, wastewater, and return flows attributable to a use of the water by the Nation or a subcontractor of the Nation if—
the depletion of water does not exceed the quantities described in paragraph (1); and
the use of tail water, wastewater, or return flows is consistent with the terms, conditions, and limitations of the Agreement, and any other applicable law; and
change a point of diversion, change a purpose or place of use, and transfer a right for depletion under this Act (except for a point of diversion, purpose or place of use, or right for depletion for use in the State of Arizona under section 303(b)(2)(D)), to another use, purpose, place, or depletion in the State of New Mexico to meet a water resource or economic need of the Nation if—
the change or transfer is subject to and consistent with the terms of the Agreement, the Partial Final Decree described in paragraph 3.0 of the Agreement, the Contract, and any other applicable law; and
a change or transfer of water use by the Nation does not alter any obligation of the United States, the Nation, or another party to pay or repay project construction, operation, maintenance, or replacement costs under this Act and the Contract.
Subcontracts between nation and third parties
The Nation may enter into subcontracts for the delivery of Project water under the Contract to third parties for any beneficial use in the State of New Mexico (on or off land held by the United States in trust for the Nation or a member of the Nation or land held in fee by the Nation).
A subcontract entered into under subparagraph (A) shall not be effective until approved by the Secretary in accordance with this subsection and the Contract.
The Nation shall submit to the Secretary for approval or disapproval any subcontract entered into under this subsection.
The Secretary shall approve or disapprove a subcontract submitted to the Secretary under subparagraph (C) not later than the later of—
the date that is 180 days after the date on which the subcontract is submitted to the Secretary; and
the date that is 60 days after the date on which a subcontractor complies with—
section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)); and
any other requirement of Federal law.
A party to a subcontract may enforce the deadline described in subparagraph (D) under section 1361 of title 28, United States Code.
Compliance with other law
A subcontract described in subparagraph (A) shall comply with the Agreement, the Partial Final Decree described in paragraph 3.0 of the Agreement, and any other applicable law.
The Secretary shall not be liable to any party, including the Nation, for any term of, or any loss or other detriment resulting from, a lease, contract, or other agreement entered into pursuant to this subsection.
The Nation shall not permanently alienate any right granted to the Nation under the Contract.
The term of any water use subcontract (including a renewal) under this subsection shall be not more than 99 years.
Nonintercourse Act compliance
provides congressional authorization for the subcontracting rights of the Nation; and
is deemed to fulfill any requirement that may be imposed by section 2116 of the Revised Statutes (25 U.S.C. 177).
The nonuse of the water supply secured by a subcontractor of the Nation under this subsection shall not result in forfeiture, abandonment, relinquishment, or other loss of any part of a right decreed to the Nation under the Contract or this section.
No per capita payments
No part of the revenue from a water use subcontract under this subsection shall be distributed to any member of the Nation on a per capita basis.
Water leases not requiring subcontracts
Authority of nation
The Nation may lease, contract, or otherwise transfer to another party or to another purpose or place of use in the State of New Mexico (on or off land that is held by the United States in trust for the Nation or a member of the Nation or held in fee by the Nation) a water right that—
is decreed to the Nation under the Agreement; and
is not subject to the Contract.
Compliance with other law
In carrying out an action under this subsection, the Nation shall comply with the Agreement, the Partial Final Decree described in paragraph 3.0 of the Agreement, the Supplemental Partial Final Decree described in paragraph 4.0 of the Agreement, and any other applicable law.
Alienation; maximum term
The Nation shall not permanently alienate any right granted to the Nation under the Agreement.
The term of any water use lease, contract, or other arrangement (including a renewal) under this subsection shall be not more than 99 years.
The Secretary shall not be liable to any party, including the Nation, for any term of, or any loss or other detriment resulting from, a lease, contract, or other agreement entered into pursuant to this subsection.
Nonintercourse act compliance
provides congressional authorization for the lease, contracting, and transfer of any water right described in paragraph (1)(A); and
is deemed to fulfill any requirement that may be imposed by the provisions of section 2116 of the Revised Statutes (25 U.S.C. 177).
The nonuse of a water right of the Nation by a lessee or contractor to the Nation under this subsection shall not result in forfeiture, abandonment, relinquishment, or other loss of any part of a right decreed to the Nation under the Contract or this section.
In carrying out this section, the following deadlines apply with respect to implementation of the Agreement:
Not later than December 31, 2009, the Secretary shall execute the Agreement.
Not later than December 31, 2009, the Secretary and the Nation shall execute the Contract.
Partial final decree
Not later than December 31, 2012, the court in the stream adjudication shall have entered the Partial Final Decree described in paragraph 3.0 of the Agreement.
Fruitland-Cambridge irrigation project
Not later than December 31, 2015, the rehabilitation construction of the Fruitland-Cambridge Irrigation Project authorized under section 307(a)(1) shall be completed.
Supplemental partial final decree
Not later than December 31, 2015, the court in the stream adjudication shall enter the Supplemental Partial Final Decree described in subparagraph 4.0 of the Agreement.
Hogback-Cudei Irrigation Project
Not later than December 31, 2018, the rehabilitation construction of the Hogback-Cudei Irrigation Project authorized under section 307(a)(2) shall be completed.
Not later than December 31, 2019, the United States shall make all deposits into the Trust Fund under section 402.
Not later than December 31, 2019, the funds authorized to be appropriated under section 309(b)(1) for the conjunctive use wells authorized under section 306(b) should be appropriated.
Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project
Not later than December 31, 2024, the construction of all Project facilities shall be completed.
A deadline described in subparagraph (A) may be extended if the Nation, the United States (acting through the Secretary), and the State of New Mexico (acting through the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission) agree that an extension is reasonably necessary.
Revocability of agreement, contract and authorizations
If the Nation determines that a deadline described in paragraph (1)(A) is not substantially met, the Nation may submit to the court in the stream adjudication a petition to enter an order terminating the Agreement and Contract.
On issuance of an order to terminate the Agreement and Contract under subparagraph (A)—
the Trust Fund shall be terminated;
the balance of the Trust Fund shall be deposited in the general fund of the Treasury;
the authorizations for construction and rehabilitation of water projects under this Act shall be revoked and any Federal activity related to that construction and rehabilitation shall be suspended; and
this title and titles I and III shall be null and void.
Conditions not causing nullification of settlement
If a condition described in subparagraph (B) occurs, the Agreement and Contract shall not be nullified or terminated.
The conditions referred to in subparagraph (A) are as follows:
A lack of right to divert at the capacities of conjunctive use wells constructed or rehabilitated under section 306.
to determine or resolve an accounting of the use of water under this Act in the State of Arizona;
to obtain a necessary water right for the consumptive use of water in Arizona;
to contract for the delivery of water for use in Arizona; or
to construct and operate a lateral facility to deliver water to a community of the Nation in Arizona, under the Project.
Effect on rights of Indian tribes
Except as provided in paragraph (2), nothing in the Agreement, the Contract, or this section quantifies or adversely affects the land and water rights, or claims or entitlements to water, of any Indian tribe or community other than the rights, claims, or entitlements of the Nation in, to, and from the San Juan River Basin in the State of New Mexico.
The right of the Nation to use water under water rights the Nation has in other river basins in the State of New Mexico shall be forborne to the extent that the Nation supplies the uses for which the water rights exist by diversions of water from the San Juan River Basin under the Project consistent with subparagraph 9.13 of the Agreement.
There is established in the Treasury a fund to be known as the Navajo Nation Water Resources Development Trust Fund , consisting of—
such amounts as are appropriated to the Trust Fund under subsection (f); and
any interest earned on investment of amounts in the Trust Fund under subsection (d).
The Nation may use amounts in the Trust Fund—
to investigate, construct, operate, maintain, or replace water project facilities, including facilities conveyed to the Nation under this Act and facilities owned by the United States for which the Nation is responsible for operation, maintenance, and replacement costs; and
to investigate, implement, or improve a water conservation measure (including a metering or monitoring activity) necessary for the Nation to make use of a water right of the Nation under the Agreement.
The Secretary shall manage the Trust Fund, invest amounts in the Trust Fund, and make amounts available from the Trust Fund for distribution to the Nation in accordance with the American Indian Trust Fund Management Reform Act of 1994 (25 U.S.C. 4001 et seq.).
Investment of the Trust Fund
The Secretary shall invest amounts in the Trust Fund in accordance with—
the Act of April 1, 1880 (25 U.S.C. 161);
the first section of the Act of June 24, 1938 (25 U.S.C. 162a); and
the American Indian Trust Fund Management Reform Act of 1994 (25 U.S.C. 4001 et seq.).
Conditions for expenditures and withdrawals
Tribal management plan
Subject to paragraph (7), on approval by the Secretary of a tribal management plan in accordance with the American Indian Trust Fund Management Reform Act of 1994 (25 U.S.C. 4001 et seq.), the Nation may withdraw all or a portion of the amounts in the Trust Fund.
In addition to any requirements under the American Indian Trust Fund Management Reform Act of 1994 (25 U.S.C. 4001 et seq.), the tribal management plan shall require that the Nation only use amounts in the Trust Fund for the purposes described in subsection (b), including the identification of water conservation measures to be implemented in association with the agricultural water use of the Nation.
The Secretary may take judicial or administrative action to enforce the provisions of any tribal management plan to ensure that any amounts withdrawn from the Trust Fund are used in accordance with this Act.
Neither the Secretary nor the Secretary of the Treasury shall be liable for the expenditure or investment of any amounts withdrawn from the Trust Fund by the Nation.
The Nation shall submit to the Secretary for approval an expenditure plan for any portion of the amounts in the Trust Fund made available under this section that the Nation does not withdraw under this subsection.
The expenditure plan shall describe the manner in which, and the purposes for which, funds of the Nation remaining in the Trust Fund will be used.
On receipt of an expenditure plan under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall approve the plan if the Secretary determines that the plan is reasonable and consistent with this Act.
The Nation shall submit to the Secretary an annual report that describes any expenditures from the Trust Fund during the year covered by the report.
No portion of the amounts in the Trust Fund shall be distributed to any Nation member on a per capita basis.
Any amount authorized to be appropriated to the Trust Fund under subsection (f) shall not be available for expenditure or withdrawal—
before December 31, 2019; and
until the date on which the court in the stream adjudication has entered—
the Partial Final Decree; and
the Supplemental Partial Final Decree.
Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated for deposit in the Trust Fund—
$6,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2013; and
$4,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018.
Waivers and releases
Claims by the Nation and the United States
The Nation, on behalf of itself and members of the Nation (other than members in the capacity of the members as allottees), and the United States, acting through the Secretary and in the capacity of the United States as trustee for the Nation, shall each execute a waiver and release of—
all claims for water rights in, or for waters of, the San Juan River Basin in the State of New Mexico that the Nation, or the United States as trustee for the Nation, asserted, or could have asserted, in the San Juan River adjudication or in any other court proceeding;
all claims that the Nation, or the United States as trustee for the Nation, has asserted or could assert for any damage, loss, or injury to water rights or claims of interference, diversion, or taking of water in the San Juan Basin in the State of New Mexico that, regardless of whether the damage, loss, or injury is unanticipated, unexpected, or unknown—
accrued at any time before or on the effective date of the waiver and release under subsection (d); and
may or may not be more numerous or more serious than is understood or expected; and
all claims of any damage, loss, or injury or for injunctive or other relief because of the condition of or changes in water quality related to, or arising out of, the exercise of water rights.
Claims by the Nation against the United States
The Nation, on behalf of itself and its members (other than members in the capacity of the members as allottees), shall execute a waiver and release of—
all causes of action that the Nation or the members of the Nation (other than members in the capacity of the members as allottees) may have against the United States or any agencies or employees of the United States, arising out of claims for water rights in, or waters of, the San Juan River Basin in the State of New Mexico that the United States asserted, or could have asserted, in the stream adjudication or other court proceeding;
all claims for any damage, loss, or injury to water rights, claims of interference, diversion or taking of water, or failure to protect, acquire, or develop water or water rights for land within the San Juan Basin in the State of New Mexico that, regardless whether the damage, loss, or injury is unanticipated, unexpected, or unknown—
accrued at any time before or on the effective date of the waiver and release under subsection (d); and
may or may not be more numerous or more serious than is understood or expected; and
all claims arising out of, resulting from, or relating in any manner to the negotiation, execution or adoption of the Agreement, the Contract, or this Act (including any specific terms and provisions of the Agreement, the Contract, or this Act) that the Nation may have against the United States or any agencies or employees of the United States.
Reservation of claims
Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b), the Nation and the members of the Nation (including members in the capacity of the members as allottees) and the United States, as trustee for the Nation and allottees, shall retain—
all claims for water rights or injuries to water rights arising out of activities occurring outside the San Juan River Basin in the State of New Mexico, subject to paragraphs 8.0, 9.3, 9.12, 9.13 and 13.9 of the Agreement;
all claims for enforcement of the Agreement, the Contract, the Partial Final Decree, the Supplemental Partial Final Decree, or this Act, through any legal and equitable remedies available in any court of competent jurisdiction;
all rights to use and protect water rights acquired pursuant to State law after the effective date of the waivers and releases described in subsection (d);
all claims relating to activities affecting the quality of water not related to the exercise of water rights; and
all rights, remedies, privileges, immunities, and powers not specifically waived and released under the terms of the Agreement or this Act.
The waivers and releases described in subsection (a) shall be effective on the date on which the Secretary publishes in the Federal Register a statement of findings documenting that each of the deadlines described in section 401(e)(1) have been met.
If the deadlines in section 401(e)(1)(A) have not been met by the later of March 1, 2025, or the date of any extension under section 401(e)(1)(B)—
the waivers and releases described in subsection (a) shall be of no effect; and
section 401(e)(2)(B) shall apply.
Water rights held in trust
A tribal water right adjudicated and described in paragraph 3.0 of the Partial Final Decree and in paragraph 3.0 of the Supplemental Partial Final Decree shall be held in trust by the United States on behalf of the Nation.
Reported with an amendment
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