Thursday
September 14, 2006
Committee
Approves Isleta Land Settlement Bill
Source: US Senators Pete Domenici and Jeff Bingaman
The Pueblo of Isleta Settlement and Natural Resources Restoration Act of 2006 (S.3648) is now ready for consideration by the full Senate. Introduced in July, the bill will enact a settlement related to the pueblo’s suit against the government seeking compensation for damages to tribal lands. A final agreement to settle the suit was reached in June among the pueblo, U.S. Department of the Interior and Justice Department.
Following the agreement, the Domenici-Bingaman bill establishes a $32.8 million Natural Resources Restoration Fund, which would be funded through the government’s Permanent and Indefinite Appropriations for Judgments. The bill authorizes another $7.2 million, subject to the administration budgeting for the funding and the annual federal appropriations process, for Isleta Pueblo to use to restore and reclaim agricultural, range and forest property.
“Many hours of work went into reaching this settlement and getting it into a form that could be acceptable to Congress. We need to get this passed so Isleta can be compensated and move forward. I am pleased with today’s action and I will continue to push to get this bill enacted this year,” said Domenici, who serves on the Indian Affairs Committee.
“The Interior Department had mismanaged Isleta Pueblo lands for years. This legislation will help bring those lands back into productive use, creating economic opportunities for the pueblo,” Bingaman said.
The Isleta Pueblo filed suit against the United States under a 1996 law authored by the late Congressman Joe Skeen. An initial settlement agreement on the suit was reached in July 2005, and an accord on how settlement funds would be provided and how the pueblo may use the funds was finalized June 22, 2006.
Some of the funds will be used for drainage and remediation of the pueblo’s agricultural lands that have been waterlogged. Some of the funds will be spent to rehabilitate and remediate the pueblo forest and range lands. Other funds will be used for the acquisition, restoration, improvement, development, and protection of land, natural resources and cultural resources, as well as the payment and reimbursement of expenses incurred in connection with this lawsuit.
Domenici, who also serves on the Senate appropriations subcommittee that funds the Interior Department and BIA, noted that Isleta Pueblo leaders recognized that it may take time for the administration to budget for the $7.2 million authorized funding.
A House companion bill to S.3648 has been introduced in the House of Representatives by Congressman Steve Pearce. That bill, HR.5842, is cosponsored by Congresswoman Heather Wilson and Congressman Tom Udall.
Contact:
Chris Gallegos/Domenici (202) 224-7082
Jude McCartin/Bingaman (202) 224-1804