Sec. 204. Pueblo Water Rights
263 words·~1 min read·
/bill/119/s/562/is/section-204·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
The Pueblo Water Rights shall be held in trust by the United States on behalf of the Pueblos in accordance with the Agreement and this title. The Pueblo Water Rights shall not be subject to loss through non-use, forfeiture, abandonment, or other operation of law. State-law based water rights acquired by a Pueblo, or by the United States on behalf of a Pueblo, after the date for inclusion in the Partial Final Judgment and Decree, shall not be subject to forfeiture, abandonment, or permanent alienation from the time they are acquired.
Any use of the Pueblo Water Rights shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Agreement and this title. The Pueblos shall have the authority to allocate, distribute, and lease the Pueblo Water Rights for use on Pueblo Land in accordance with the Agreement, this title, and applicable Federal law. The Pueblos may allocate, distribute, and lease the Pueblo Water Rights for use off Pueblo Land in accordance with the Agreement, this title, and applicable Federal law, subject to the approval of the Secretary.
The Pueblos shall not permanently alienate any portion of the Pueblo Water Rights. An authorization provided by this title for the allocation, distribution, leasing, or other arrangement entered into pursuant to this title shall be considered to satisfy any requirement for authorization of the action required by Federal law. The non-use of all or any portion of the Pueblo Water Rights by any water user shall not result in the forfeiture, abandonment, relinquishment, or other loss of all or any portion of the Pueblo Water Rights.