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Bill106th CongressFiled May 4, 2000Native Americans
S. 2508

Colorado Ute Settlement Act Amendments of 2000

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What it doesSummary passed senate amended (Oct 25, 2000)

Colorado Ute Settlement Act Amendments of 2000 - Amends the Colorado Ute Indian Water Rights Settlement Act of 1988 to authorize the Secretary of the Interior, in order to settle the outstanding claims of the Ute Indian tribes on the Animas and La Plata Rivers in Colorado and acting through the Bureau of Reclamation, to: (1) complete construction of, operate, and maintain a reservoir, pumping plant, reservoir inlet conduit, and appurtenant facilities to divert and store water from the Animas River to provide a municipal and industrial water supply (the Project); and (2) deliver through the use of such components, specified municipal and industrial water allocations to the San Juan Water Commission, Animas-La Plata Conservancy District, State of Colorado, La Plata Conservancy District of New Mexico, Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute tribes, and Navajo Nation.

Declares that such facilities, if constructed, constitute the Animas- La Plata Project. Prohibits the commencement of construction of any other project features authorized by the Colorado River Basin Project Act without further authorization from Congress.

Provides that construction costs required to deliver each tribe's water allocation shall be nonreimbursable. Makes the nontribal repayment obligations for water allocations subject to a final cost allocation by the Secretary upon project completion. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress on the status of cost-share agreements. Requires the reallocation of water allocations for the Animas-La Plata Conservancy District and the State of Colorado to the Colorado Ute Tribes if no agreement is reached with the District or the State for such allocations.

(Sec. 3) Requires the Secretary, upon request of the State Engineer of New Mexico, to assign to the New Mexico Project beneficiaries or the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission Department of the Interior interests under a specified permit in order to fulfill the New Mexico non-Navajo purposes of the Project, so long as the assignment does not affect the application of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to the use of the water.

Authorizes the Secretary to construct a water line to augment the existing system that conveys municipal water supplies to the Navajo Indian Reservation at or near Shiprock, New Mexico. Makes construction costs for the water line nonreimbursable.

Authorizes appropriations to the Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Resource Funds. Requires the Secretary to establish such Funds. Provides for disbursement of Fund monies, with an exception, in accordance with approved natural resource acquisition and enhancement plans.

Establishes the Colorado Ute Settlement Fund in the Treasury and authorizes appropriations to the Fund to complete the construction of Project facilities and the Navajo Nation water line.

Requires the construction of facilities, allocation of water supply to the Indian tribes, provision of funds, and issuance of an amended final consent decree under this Act to constitute final settlement of tribal claims to water rights on the Animas and La Plata Rivers. Requires such decree to provide for an extension of the current January 1, 2005, deadline for the tribes to commence litigation of their reserved rights claims on such rivers.

What just happenedDec 15, 2000

By Senator Campbell from Committee on Indian Affairs filed written report. Report No. 106-513.

Who’s behind it

Sen. Campbell, Ben Nighthorse [R-CO](R-CO)Sponsor
2 cosponsors2 R
Read on Congress.gov
2cosponsors2committees20actions2amendments1related bills47subjects
  1. Dec 15, 2000Floor

    By Senator Campbell from Committee on Indian Affairs filed written report. Report No. 106-513.

    Indian Affairs Committee
  2. Dec 15, 2000Committee14900

    By Senator Campbell from Committee on Indian Affairs filed written report. Report No. 106-513.

    Indian Affairs Committee
  3. Oct 26, 2000FloorH15000

    Held at the desk.

  4. Oct 26, 2000Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  5. Oct 26, 2000FloorH14000

    Received in the House.

  6. Oct 25, 2000Floor

    Passed Senate with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 85 - 5. Record Vote Number: 282.

  7. Oct 25, 2000Floor17000

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 85 - 5. Record Vote Number: 282.

  8. Oct 25, 2000Floor

    Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S10984-10986)

  9. Oct 19, 2000Floor

    Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S10776-10785)

  10. Jul 26, 2000Calendars

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 723.

  11. Jul 26, 2000Discharge

    Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources discharged. pursuant to the order of June 23, 2000.

    Energy and Natural Resources Committee
  12. Jul 26, 2000Committee14500

    Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources discharged. pursuant to the order of June 23, 2000.

    Energy and Natural Resources Committee
  13. Jun 26, 2000IntroReferral

    Referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources pursuant to the order of of June 23, 2000, for a period not to exceed 30 calendar days.

    Energy and Natural Resources Committee
  14. Jun 26, 2000Committee

    Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Campbell without amendment. Without written report.

    Indian Affairs Committee
  15. Jun 26, 2000Committee14000

    Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Campbell without amendment. Without written report.

    Indian Affairs Committee
  16. Jun 14, 2000Committee

    Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

    Indian Affairs Committee
  17. Jun 7, 2000Committee

    Committees on Indian Affairs. Joint hearings held with the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources' Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 106-620.

    Indian Affairs CommitteeWater and Power Subcommittee
  18. May 4, 2000IntroReferral

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3522-3524)

    Indian Affairs Committee
  19. May 4, 2000IntroReferralB00100

    Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3521-3522)

  20. May 4, 2000IntroReferral10000

    Introduced in Senate

Passed Senate amendedOct 25, 200035
Colorado Ute Settlement Act Amendments of 2000 - Amends the Colorado Ute Indian Water Rights Settlement Act of 1988 to authorize the Secretary of the Interior, in order to settle the outstanding claims of the Ute Indian tribes on the Animas and La Plata Rivers in Colorado and acting through the Bureau of Reclamation, to: (1) complete construction of, operate, and maintain a reservoir, pumping plant, reservoir inlet conduit, and appurtenant facilities to divert and store water from the Animas River to provide a municipal and industrial water supply (the Project); and (2) deliver through the use of such components, specified municipal and industrial water allocations to the San Juan Water Commission, Animas-La Plata Conservancy District, State of Colorado, La Plata Conservancy District of New Mexico, Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute tribes, and Navajo Nation.

Declares that such facilities, if constructed, constitute the Animas- La Plata Project. Prohibits the commencement of construction of any other project features authorized by the Colorado River Basin Project Act without further authorization from Congress.

Provides that construction costs required to deliver each tribe's water allocation shall be nonreimbursable. Makes the nontribal repayment obligations for water allocations subject to a final cost allocation by the Secretary upon project completion. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress on the status of cost-share agreements. Requires the reallocation of water allocations for the Animas-La Plata Conservancy District and the State of Colorado to the Colorado Ute Tribes if no agreement is reached with the District or the State for such allocations.

(Sec. 3) Requires the Secretary, upon request of the State Engineer of New Mexico, to assign to the New Mexico Project beneficiaries or the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission Department of the Interior interests under a specified permit in order to fulfill the New Mexico non-Navajo purposes of the Project, so long as the assignment does not affect the application of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to the use of the water.

Authorizes the Secretary to construct a water line to augment the existing system that conveys municipal water supplies to the Navajo Indian Reservation at or near Shiprock, New Mexico. Makes construction costs for the water line nonreimbursable.

Authorizes appropriations to the Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Resource Funds. Requires the Secretary to establish such Funds. Provides for disbursement of Fund monies, with an exception, in accordance with approved natural resource acquisition and enhancement plans.

Establishes the Colorado Ute Settlement Fund in the Treasury and authorizes appropriations to the Fund to complete the construction of Project facilities and the Navajo Nation water line.

Requires the construction of facilities, allocation of water supply to the Indian tribes, provision of funds, and issuance of an amended final consent decree under this Act to constitute final settlement of tribal claims to water rights on the Animas and La Plata Rivers. Requires such decree to provide for an extension of the current January 1, 2005, deadline for the tribes to commence litigation of their reserved rights claims on such rivers.

Introduced in SenateMay 4, 200000
Colorado Ute Settlement Act Amendments of 2000 - Amends the Colorado Ute Indian Water Rights Settlement Act of 1988 to authorize the Secretary of the Interior, in order to settle the outstanding claims of the Ute Indian tribes on the Animas and La Plata Rivers in Colorado and acting through the Bureau of Reclamation, to: (1) complete construction of, operate, and maintain a reservoir, pumping plant, reservoir inlet conduit, and appurtenant facilities to divert and store water from the Animas River to provide a municipal and industrial water supply (the Project); and (2) deliver through the use of such components, specified municipal and industrial water allocations to the San Juan Water Commission, Animas-La Plata Conservancy District, State of Colorado, La Plata Conservancy District of New Mexico, Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute tribes, and Navajo Nation.

Provides that construction costs required to deliver each tribe's water allocation shall be nonreimbursable.

Sets forth provisions regarding defenses to challenges of environmental impact statements and biological opinions with respect to provision of water to the Ute tribes and compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act, Federal Water Pollution Control Act, and Endangered Species Act of 1973.

Requires the Secretary, upon request of the State Engineer of New Mexico, to assign to the New Mexico Project beneficiaries or the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission any portion of Department of the Interior interests under a specified permit in order to fulfill the New Mexico purposes of the Project, so long as the assignment does not affect the application of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to the use of the water.

Authorizes the Secretary to construct a water line to augment the existing system that conveys municipal water supplies to the Navajo Indian Reservation at Shiprock, New Mexico. Makes construction costs for the water line nonreimbursable.

Authorizes appropriations to the Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Resource Funds. Requires the Secretary to establish such Funds. Provides for disbursement of Fund monies in accordance with approved natural resource acquisition and enhancement plans.

Establishes the Colorado Ute Settlement Fund in the Treasury and authorizes appropriations to the Fund to complete the construction of Project facilities.

Requires the construction of facilities, allocation of water supply to the Indian tribes, and provision of funds under this Act to constitute final settlement of tribal claims to water rights on the Animas and La Plata Rivers.