Five Pueblo tribes in New Mexico won approval of the water rights settlements with the passage of H.R.4783, the Claims Settlement Act of 2010.

The bill settles the water rights of Taos Pueblo. It provides $66 million in immediate funding and authorizes $58 million in future spending, subject to appropriations.

The bill also sends the long-running Aamodt litigation involving Pojoaque Pueblo, San Ildefonso Pueblo, Tesuque Pueblo and Nambe Pueblo. It provides $81.8 million for the deal and authorizes $92.5 million in future funding, also subject to appropriations.

The House passed the bill yesterday. It cleared the Senate on November 19.

Get the Story:
Water-rights settlements clear House 'with money attached' (The Santa Fe New Mexican 12/1)
Aamodt Water Case Wrapping Up (The Albuquerque Journal 12/1)

Related Stories:
Senate passes water rights settlements for tribes in three states (11/22)