A deal to settle the water rights of four Pueblos in northern New Mexico is far from a done deal even though the tribes and non-Indian water users have signed on.

The leaders of Tesuque Pueblo and Pojoaque Pueblo joined state and local leaders on a lobbying trip to Washington. They were told the Sens. Pete Domenici (R) and Jeff Bingaman (D) won't support the deal until some outstanding cost and water issues are resolved.

The Bush administration is balking at the deal because it requires the construction of a regional water system, estimated to cost up to $177 million. The federal government's share could run about $150 million.

The pueblos of Tesuque, Pojoaque, San Ildefonso and Namb� and non-Indian water users signed the deal earlier this month.

Get the Story:
Aamodt settlement: Senate funding for water utility in question (The Santa Fe New Mexican 5/19)
pwpwd

Related Stories:
Bush administration opposes Pueblo water settlement (05/04)
Pueblo water rights settlement heads to Washington (5/2)
Low turnout at meeting on Pueblo water rights deal (02/21)
Settlement possible in Pueblo water rights lawsuit (04/27)
Bush administration won't back Pueblo water deal (01/14)
Meeting called to seek support for Pueblo water deal (06/16)
Settlement elusive in 38-year-old water rights case (04/05)
Group organizes to oppose tribal water settlement (4/1)
Non-Indians seek way out of water rights settlement (03/24)
Non-Indians opposing deal to end water rights case (03/10)
Non-Indians wary of settlement to water rights case (2/18)
Settlement expected in water rights case (12/10)
Pueblo's water usage won't be curtailed by judge (07/02)
Pueblo's water usage at issue in court case (02/20)
Pueblo fights limits to water usage (11/27)
Water talks call on non-Indians to change (11/22)
Court to move on Pueblo water issue (11/21)
Court asked to halt Pueblo water use (09/13)
Pueblo has major development plans (7/17)
Pueblo threatened with court action (7/12)
Pueblo plans questioned (5/9)
Pueblo warned on water usage (3/15)
Pueblo water usage questioned (10/29)
Pueblo talks about water rights (2/22)
Pueblo water rights limited by court (2/7)