# Tule River Tribe Reserved Water Rights Settlement Act of 2024
This bill approves a water rights settlement for the Tule River Indian Tribe in California. The Tribe receives recognition of 5,828 acre-feet of water per year from the South Fork Tule River, held in trust by the federal government. The settlement finalizes a 2007 agreement between the Tribe, two water companies, and the federal government, resolving longstanding water disputes.
Congress authorizes $518 million for water development projects on the Tribe's reservation and $50 million for ongoing operation and maintenance of those projects. The funds will be deposited into trust accounts managed by the Secretary of the Interior, with the Tribe controlling how the money is spent for infrastructure like water treatment and storage facilities. The bill also transfers approximately 10,300 acres of federal land to the Tribe, including Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management holdings, to be held in trust as part of the reservation.
In exchange for this settlement, the Tribe waives most claims against the federal government and other water users related to water rights dating back to the settlement's effective date. However, the Tribe retains rights to enforce the new water agreement and to pursue claims regarding water quality under federal environmental laws. The settlement becomes enforceable once the Secretary of the Interior publishes a formal statement confirming that all conditions have been met, funding has been appropriated, and a federal court has approved the final agreement. If these requirements are not met within eight years, the entire settlement expires.
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