Bill Overview
Title: Technical Correction to the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Reservation Water Rights Settlement Act of 2021
Description: 2021 This bill authorizes deposit of specified interest payments into the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes Water Rights Development Fund. This fund was established in 2009 under the water rights settlement agreement for the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Reservation.
Sponsors: Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]
Target Audience
Population: Members of the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Reservation
Estimated Size: 2000
- The bill specifically pertains to the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Reservation, indicating that the primary population impacted will be members of this tribe.
- The Duck Valley Reservation is home to approximately 2,000 enrolled members of the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes.
- Water rights and settlements play a critical role in the livelihoods and economic development opportunities for Native American tribes, indicating the type of impact.
- The settlement fund directly addresses water rights development, which is essential for agriculture, ranching, and overall community development and sustainability on the reservation.
Reasoning
- The primary population impacted by the policy are members of the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes living on the Duck Valley Reservation. Given their cultural and economic reliance on water resources, improvements in water rights could significantly enhance their quality of life.
- Due to the implementation of the policy, the wellbeing of members of the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes should improve over time as water resources become more secure and better utilized for community development.
- Beyond the immediate tribal community, there are no expected direct impacts on other U.S. populations. Nevertheless, broader Americans may view such corrective actions positively as supportive of Indigenous rights.
- The financial limitations mean the benefits need to be appropriately managed to maximize impact over time and across tribal members.
Simulated Interviews
Tribal Council Member (Duck Valley Reservation, NV)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy gives us hope that the generations to come will have better access to water resources.
- It is a legal rectification necessary to uphold our rights and ensures we can plan long-term for our community's growth.
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 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Rancher (Duck Valley Reservation, ID)
Age: 33 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's critical that we preserve our water rights for sustainable ranching.
- This fund could enable us to improve water infrastructure and increase productivity.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Retired Educator (Duck Valley Reservation, NV)
Age: 67 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While my everyday needs are met, I worry for my grandchildren's future without proper water claims.
- This policy is a milestone in securing what is rightfully ours for decades to come.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Policy Analyst (Sparks, NV)
Age: 25 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy is a positive step for Indigenous water rights; setting a good precedent for other tribes.
- It's important to see these funds managed well to maximize benefits.
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 |
Community Health Worker (Duck Valley Reservation, ID)
Age: 54 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Water security is directly linked to health; this policy should improve community health outcomes long-term.
- We need more education on how to sustainably manage our water resources.
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 | 9 | 5 |
State Government Employee (Reno, NV)
Age: 39 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- These technical corrections are essential for clearer water management and setting legal precedents.
- The influence of such policies on states' environmental strategies is significant.
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 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Elder (Duck Valley Reservation, NV)
Age: 72 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- To me, securing water rights is about preserving our way of life for future generations.
- This policy represents justice long overdue for our people.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Lawyer (Elko, NV)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Such policy measures strengthen legal frameworks for Indigenous rights.
- Policy implementation must be fair and accountable to the affected communities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
College Student (Duck Valley Reservation, ID)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is an exciting opportunity to see how legal corrections can improve tribal welfare.
- Practically seeing this put into action could influence more students like me to contribute back to our community.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Non-Profit Administrator (Las Vegas, NV)
Age: 61 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 1/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Ensuring all Native American communities have clear water rights is crucial for fairness.
- Policy moves like these generate widespread respect and underscore the importance of community-specific solutions.
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 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $500000 (Low: $400000, High: $600000)
Year 2: $500000 (Low: $400000, High: $600000)
Year 3: $500000 (Low: $400000, High: $600000)
Year 5: $500000 (Low: $400000, High: $600000)
Year 10: $500000 (Low: $400000, High: $600000)
Year 100: $500000 (Low: $400000, High: $600000)
Key Considerations
- The impact on federal spending is minimal since the bill involves clarification rather than new appropriations.
- Emphasizes the management of existing funds rather than creating fiscal obligations.
- The implications for sovereign tribal rights and their economic viability stemming from water resource management are significant at the community level.