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Navajo Utah Water Rights Settlement Act of 2018

USA115th CongressS-664| Senate 
| Updated: 11/29/2018
Orrin G. Hatch

Orrin G. Hatch

Republican Senator

Utah

Indian Affairs Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Navajo Utah Water Rights Settlement Act of 2016 This bill ratifies and modifies the Navajo Utah Water Rights Settlement Agreement negotiated between the Navajo Nation, the United States, and Utah. Specifically, the bill enumerates the Navajo Nation's right to use water from sources located within Utah and adjacent to or encompassed within the boundaries of the Navajo Nation Reservation. The use is limited to depletions of 81,500 acre-feet or less per year. The water rights: (1) include the rights to divert, pump, impound, store, or reuse water; and (2) are not subject to loss by non-use, forfeiture, or abandonment. In return for confirmation of these rights, the Navajo Nation waives and releases: (1) claims for water rights that are not recognized in the agreement; and (2) claims for specified damage, loss, or injury to water, water rights, land, or other resources. The Bureau of Reclamation must: (1) plan, design, and construct the water diversion, delivery, and conservation features of the Navajo water development projects; and (2) convey to the Navajo Nation title to certain water development projects described as water supply and water distribution systems once they are complete and in operation. The Department of the Interior must facilitate the formation of a project management committee. The bill establishes: (1) a trust account for the operation, maintenance, and replacement of the Navajo water development projects authorized to be constructed and described in the agreement as water supply systems and water distribution systems; and (2) a fund to plan, design, and construct the projects.

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Timeline
Mar 15, 2017
Introduced in Senate
Mar 15, 2017
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
Dec 6, 2017
Committee on Indian Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 115-179.
Oct 3, 2018
Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Nov 29, 2018
Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Hoeven with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title. With written report No. 115-401.
Nov 29, 2018
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 706.
  • March 15, 2017
    Introduced in Senate


  • March 15, 2017
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.


  • December 6, 2017
    Committee on Indian Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 115-179.


  • October 3, 2018
    Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.


  • November 29, 2018
    Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Hoeven with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title. With written report No. 115-401.


  • November 29, 2018
    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 706.

Native Americans

Federal-Indian relationsIndian claimsIndian lands and resources rightsLakes and riversUtahWater resources fundingWater use and supply

Navajo Utah Water Rights Settlement Act of 2018

USA115th CongressS-664| Senate 
| Updated: 11/29/2018
Navajo Utah Water Rights Settlement Act of 2016 This bill ratifies and modifies the Navajo Utah Water Rights Settlement Agreement negotiated between the Navajo Nation, the United States, and Utah. Specifically, the bill enumerates the Navajo Nation's right to use water from sources located within Utah and adjacent to or encompassed within the boundaries of the Navajo Nation Reservation. The use is limited to depletions of 81,500 acre-feet or less per year. The water rights: (1) include the rights to divert, pump, impound, store, or reuse water; and (2) are not subject to loss by non-use, forfeiture, or abandonment. In return for confirmation of these rights, the Navajo Nation waives and releases: (1) claims for water rights that are not recognized in the agreement; and (2) claims for specified damage, loss, or injury to water, water rights, land, or other resources. The Bureau of Reclamation must: (1) plan, design, and construct the water diversion, delivery, and conservation features of the Navajo water development projects; and (2) convey to the Navajo Nation title to certain water development projects described as water supply and water distribution systems once they are complete and in operation. The Department of the Interior must facilitate the formation of a project management committee. The bill establishes: (1) a trust account for the operation, maintenance, and replacement of the Navajo water development projects authorized to be constructed and described in the agreement as water supply systems and water distribution systems; and (2) a fund to plan, design, and construct the projects.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
2 versions available

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Mar 15, 2017
Introduced in Senate
Mar 15, 2017
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
Dec 6, 2017
Committee on Indian Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 115-179.
Oct 3, 2018
Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Nov 29, 2018
Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Hoeven with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title. With written report No. 115-401.
Nov 29, 2018
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 706.
  • March 15, 2017
    Introduced in Senate


  • March 15, 2017
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.


  • December 6, 2017
    Committee on Indian Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 115-179.


  • October 3, 2018
    Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.


  • November 29, 2018
    Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Hoeven with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title. With written report No. 115-401.


  • November 29, 2018
    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 706.
Orrin G. Hatch

Orrin G. Hatch

Republican Senator

Utah

Indian Affairs Committee

Native Americans

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Federal-Indian relationsIndian claimsIndian lands and resources rightsLakes and riversUtahWater resources fundingWater use and supply