Skip to main content
H.R. 1065 111th Congress House

White Mountain Apache Tribe Water Rights Quantification Act of 2010

Official title: To resolve water rights claims of the White Mountain Apache Tribe in the State of Arizona, and for other purposes.

Introduced: February 13, 2009 See on congress.gov
Native Americans ArizonaForests, forestry, treesGovernment liabilityGovernment studies and investigations
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Government trust fundsIndian claimsIndian lands and resources rightsLakes and riversWater resources fundingWater use and supply
This bill died when the 111th Congress ended
It never became law before the 111th Congress (2009–2010) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 21 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Mar 26, 2010
Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 340.
Jan 22, 2010
Received in the Senate.
Jan 21, 2010
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule. (consideration: CR H297)
Jan 21, 2010
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1017, the House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 1065.
Jan 21, 2010
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Jan 21, 2010
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 262 - 147 (Roll no. 14). (text: CR H290-296)
Jan 21, 2010
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H299)
Jan 21, 2010
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 1065, the Chair put the question on passage and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Rahall demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of passage until a time to be announced.
Jan 21, 2010
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 3254, H.R. 3342 and H.R. 1065. Each bill is allowed 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered, in each instance, without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measures will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order, in each instance. The amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Natural Resources, in each instance,
Jan 21, 2010
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1017. (consideration: CR H290-297)
Jan 20, 2010
Rule H. Res. 1017 passed House.
Jan 19, 2010
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1017 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 3254, H.R. 3342 and H.R. 1065. Each bill is allowed 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered, in each instance, without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measures will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order, in each instance. The amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Natural Resources, in each instance,
Jan 12, 2010
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 228.
Jan 12, 2010
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 111-391.
Sep 30, 2009
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Sep 30, 2009
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Sep 30, 2009
Subcommittee on Water and Power Discharged.
Jul 21, 2009
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Feb 20, 2009
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water and Power.
Feb 13, 2009
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Feb 13, 2009
Introduced in House
 Votes taken on this bill 1
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
Jan 21, 2010 House · vote #14 On Passage Passed 262–147 See who voted →
 Amendments to this bill 1

Amendments propose changes to this bill. Members vote on amendments separately before the final bill vote. An agreed amendment becomes part of the bill; a failed amendment does not.

AmendmentSponsorPurposeStatusLatest action
HAMDT 542 – Amendment in the nature of a substitute. No recorded outcome –
 Ask about this bill AI · grounded in the bill text

Have a question about what this bill does? Ask in plain English; the answer is drawn from the bill's actual text and official record, and it'll tell you when something isn't in the text rather than guess.

AI answers can be imperfect; always confirm against the full bill text.

 Latest action March 26, 2010

Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 340.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

White Mountain Apache Tribe Water Rights Quantification Act of 2010 - (Sec. 4) Authorizes, ratifies, and confirms the White Mountain Apache Tribe Water Rights Quantification Agreement and amendments made to such Agreement by this Act. Requires the Secretary of the Interior, in implementing the Agreement, to comply with all requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and all other applicable environmental laws.

(Sec. 5) Requires the water rights of the Tribe to be held in trust by the United States and to not be subject to forfeiture or abandonment. Provides for reallocations of certain water rights to the Tribe. Exempts the Tribe from any water service capital charge for tribal CAP water (water from specified aqueducts and pumping plants). Requires the Tribe to enact a water code, as specified.

(Sec. 6) Requires the Secretary to enter into a specified contract with the Tribe to provide, among other things, that the Tribe, on approval of the Secretary, may enter into contracts or options to lease, contracts to exchange, or options to exchange tribal CAP water in Maricopa, Pinal, Pima, and Yavapai Counties in Arizona providing for the temporary delivery to any individual or entity of any portion of the tribal CAP water, subject to the conditions that the term of the contract or option to lease shall not be longer than 100 years (with renegotiation permitted at any time), the contracts or options to exchange shall be for the term provided in the contract or option, and a lease or option to lease providing for the temporary delivery of tribal CAP water shall require the lessee to pay to charges associated with the leased water. Authorizes, ratifies, and confirms such a contract or lease, except to the extent that any provision of the contract or lease conflicts with a provision of this Act.

Prohibits: (1) use of tribal CAP water outside of Arizona; (2) tribal water rights from being sold, leased, transferred, or used outside the boundaries of the reservation or off-reservation trust land other than pursuant to an exchange, except as specified; and (3) limiting the right of the Tribe to enter into an agreement with the Arizona Water Banking Authority.

(Sec. 7) Directs the Secretary, subject to the availability of appropriations, and acting through the Bureau of Reclamation, to plan, design, construct, operate, maintain, replace, and rehabilitate the WMAT rural water system (a specified the municipal, rural, and industrial water diversion, storage, and delivery system) as generally described in a project extension report dated February 2007. Specifies components of the WMAT rural water system, as well as the service area, and construction requirements. Requires title to the WMAT rural water system to be in trust by the United States in its capacity as trustee for the Tribe, but permits conveyance of title to the Tribe to the WMAT rural water system after publication by the Secretary of a specified statement of findings.

(Sec. 8) Sets forth provisions relating to the satisfaction, waiver, or release of claims by the Tribe, a limited waiver of U.S. or tribal sovereign immunity for the purpose of resolving issues arising under this Act, and after-acquired trust land.

(Sec. 10) Establishes in the Lower Colorado River Basin Development Fund a subaccount to be known as the White Mountain Apache Tribe Water Rights Settlement Subaccount (Subaccount), consisting of specified amounts and including up to $100 million from the Fund. Requires the Tribe: (1) to use amounts in the Subaccount only for the planning, design, and construction of the rural water system; and (2) to report annually to the Secretary on each expenditure from the Subaccount.

(Sec. 12) Establishes the WMAT Settlement Fund to be used the The Tribe for: (1) fish production, including hatcheries: (2) rehabilitation of recreational lakes and existing irrigation systems; (3) water-related economic development projects; (4) protection, restoration, and economic development of forest and watershed health; and (5) cost overruns for the completion of the WMAT rural water system.

Establishes the WMAT Maintenance Fund for the operation, maintenance, and replacement costs associated with the delivery of water through the rural water system.

Requires annual reports to the Secretary describing all expenditures from the Settlement and Maintenance funds.

Transfers up to $100 million from the Emergency Fund for Indian Safety and Health to the Subaccount.

Authorizes appropriations.

(Sec. 13) Exempts the United States from any liability for failure to carry out any obligation or activity authorized to be carried out, subject to appropriations, under this Act if adequate appropriations for that purpose are not provided by Congress.

(Sec. 14) Repeals this Act, and reverts any appropriated funds, if the Secretary does not make specified findings by April 30, 2020.

 Related & companion bills 3
 Bill text 4 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 1065: White Mountain Apache Tribe Water Rights Quantification Act of 2010. 111th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/111-HR-1065/
MLA
"H.R. 1065: White Mountain Apache Tribe Water Rights Quantification Act of 2010." 111th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/111-HR-1065/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 1065, 111th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/111-HR-1065/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 1065: White Mountain Apache Tribe Water Rights Quantification Act of 2010](https://openamerica.io/bill/111-HR-1065/)
Report a problem