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Tule River Tribe Reserved Water Rights Settlement Act of 2023
12/15/2023, 4:05 PM
Summary of Bill S 306
The Tule River Tribe has long-standing water rights claims that have been the subject of legal disputes for many years. This bill seeks to resolve these disputes by providing the tribe with a certain amount of water rights in exchange for the relinquishment of other claims.
Specifically, the bill outlines the terms of the settlement, including the amount of water rights that will be allocated to the tribe, as well as any financial compensation that may be provided. The bill also establishes a process for the implementation of the settlement, including the creation of a water management plan and the establishment of a monitoring system to ensure compliance. Overall, the Tule River Tribe Reserved Water Rights Settlement Act of 2023 is aimed at resolving long-standing water rights disputes between the Tule River Tribe and the state of California in a fair and equitable manner. If passed, the bill has the potential to provide a lasting solution to this contentious issue and ensure the sustainable management of water resources in the region.
Congressional Summary of S 306
Tule River Tribe Reserved Water Rights Settlement Act of 2023
This bill recognizes and settles the water rights of the Tule River Indian Tribe of the Tule River Reservation in California. It also establishes and provides funding for a settlement trust fund.
Specifically, the bill authorizes, ratifies, and confirms a specified water rights settlement agreement entered into by the tribe, the South Tule Independent Ditch Company, and the Tule River Association, thus satisfying claims to water rights in California.
Additionally, the bill outlines the tribe's water rights, including the right to divert and use 5,828 acre-feet of water per year from the South Fork Tule River.
Next, the bill establishes and provides funding for the Tule River Indian Tribe Settlement Trust Fund. Amounts deposited in this trust fund shall be made available to the tribe for water development projects.
The bill also transfers specified lands, including a portion of federal lands in the Sequoia National Forest, into trust for the benefit of the tribe.
The bill outlines waivers, releases, and retentions of claims by the tribe and the United States under the settlement agreement.
