H.R. 5935: Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Water Rights Settlement Act

The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Water Rights Settlement Act is designed to address and resolve the water rights claims of the Agua Caliente Tribe. Key elements of the bill include:

Water Rights Confirmation

The Act confirms the water rights of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, which involves recognizing their entitlement to a specific quantity of water to meet their needs. This acknowledgment is aimed at formalizing the Tribe's long-standing claims to these resources.

Trust Fund Establishment

To assist in managing the water rights effectively, the bill establishes a trust fund known as the Agua Caliente Settlement Trust Fund. This fund will be utilized by the Tribe to support their management and development plans regarding their water resources.

Withdrawal of Funds

The Tribe will have the ability to withdraw funds from this trust. However, the withdrawal process requires the Tribe to submit an approved expenditure plan to the Secretary. This plan must:

• Specify how the funds will be used.
• Comply with the provisions of the Act.
• Receive approval from the Secretary to ensure that the proposed expenditures are appropriate and adhere to legal requirements.

Transfer of Federal Lands

The legislation authorizes the transfer of certain federal lands to the Tribe for development purposes. This transfer is intended to support economic development initiatives and enhance the Tribe's sovereignty over their land and resources.

Implementation and Oversight

Throughout the process, oversight will ensure that the expenditures from the trust fund align with the Act's guidelines and that the rights conferred are honored and protected.

Overall Objectives

The overarching goal of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Water Rights Settlement Act is to secure the Tribe's access to water resources, enable economic development through land transfers, and establish a framework for responsible management of their water rights.

Relevant Companies

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