Zuni Indian Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025

The Zuni Indian Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025 resolves longstanding water rights claims for the Zuni Tribe of the Zuni Reservation in the Zuni River Stream System. It establishes a $655.5 million trust fund to support water infrastructure development, confirms the Tribe's water rights held in trust by the U.S. government (prohibiting forfeiture through non-use), and withdraws approximately 92,364 acres of federal land to protect the Zuni Salt Lake and Sanctuary. The bill ensures allottees' (individual landowners) water rights remain separate from the Tribe's rights, with specific provisions for accounting for water use on allotments. This settlement replaces all previous claims against the U.S. government related to water rights in the Zuni River System.