Bill Overview
Title: To amend the Claims Resolution Act to make a technical correction to the Taos Pueblo Water Development Fund and the Aamodt Settlement Pueblos' Fund, and for other purposes.
Description: This bill authorizes the deposit of specified interest payments for water rights settlements into the Taos Pueblo Water Development Fund and the Aamodt Settlement Pueblos' Fund. Established in 2010 under separate settlement agreements, the Taos Pueblo Water Development Fund is for the Pueblo of Taos, New Mexico and the Aamodt Settlement Pueblos' Fund is for the Pueblos of Nambe, Pojoaque, San Ildefonso, and Tesuque, New Mexico.
Sponsors: Rep. Leger Fernandez, Teresa [D-NM-3]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals associated with the Taos Pueblo and Aamodt Settlement Pueblos in New Mexico
Estimated Size: 11500
- The bill targets the Taos Pueblo Water Development Fund, affecting the Pueblo of Taos.
- The bill also concerns the Aamodt Settlement Pueblos' Fund, which involves the Pueblos of Nambe, Pojoaque, San Ildefonso, and Tesuque.
- Water rights settlements and related funds impact the local populations directly dependent on these water resources.
- The population of the Pueblo of Taos is approximately 4,500 people.
- The combined population of the Nambe, Pojoaque, San Ildefonso, and Tesuque Pueblos is around 7,000 people.
Reasoning
- The population directly impacted by this policy includes residents of the Taos Pueblo and Aamodt Settlement Pueblos.
- Residents are deeply connected to water rights as these are vital for community, cultural, and economic purposes.
- This policy likely has limited direct impact on individuals outside these pueblos with some influence on nearby populations.
- Budget constraints limit the immediate magnitude of impact across the involved populations.
- Wellbeing assessments include direct benefits through improved resource management and indirect improvements such as community cohesion and growth potential.
Simulated Interviews
Water Rights Advocate (Taos Pueblo, NM)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe this fund is essential for securing water rights for future generations.
- This policy will empower our people to maintain our connection to water, integral to our culture.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 4 |
Retired Teacher (Pojoaque Pueblo, NM)
Age: 65 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The security this policy offers is a comfort in my elderly years.
- I want to see these funds help our children learn and grow.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Environmental Scientist (Santa Fe, NM)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Supporting these water rights benefits ecological preservation.
- The policy helps balance resource demands sustainably in the region.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Farmer (Tesuque Pueblo, NM)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Water access is inconsistent; this fund will stabilize my work.
- Better water management means more stable crop yields.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 2 |
Cultural Educator (Nambe Pueblo, NM)
Age: 37 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Our traditions hinge on water; preserving them is crucial.
- I am hopeful that these funds can educate youth on cultural heritage.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 5 |
Artist (San Ildefonso Pueblo, NM)
Age: 27 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Water is central to my artistic expression and our cultural stories.
- This fund may enable more community art projects.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Water Policy Analyst (Los Alamos, NM)
Age: 54 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is a positive step for water management in the region.
- It ensures equity in water distribution among indigenous communities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Business Owner (Albuquerque, NM)
Age: 48 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Stable water settlements mean stable business conditions.
- Indirect benefits might flow through to urban areas like Albuquerque.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Community Elder (Nambe Pueblo, NM)
Age: 72 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- These funds are long-awaited and vital for our children's future.
- Ensuring water stability ensures community stability.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 2 |
Healthcare Worker (Pojoaque Pueblo, NM)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- A reliable water source impacts health positively.
- These funds could relieve some burden on our health services.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $500000 (Low: $300000, High: $700000)
Year 2: $500000 (Low: $300000, High: $700000)
Year 3: $500000 (Low: $300000, High: $700000)
Year 5: $500000 (Low: $300000, High: $700000)
Year 10: $500000 (Low: $300000, High: $700000)
Year 100: $500000 (Low: $300000, High: $700000)
Key Considerations
- Aimed at making technical corrections rather than new financial outlays.
- Focuses on water rights settlements, which are significant for the affected communities' development.
- Minimal fiscal impact on the broader federal budget.