Historic Indian Water Rights Settlement to be Celebrated Today

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Aamodt Settlement

SANTA FE - Leaders from the Pueblos of Tesuque, Nambe, Pojoaque, and San Ildefonso will be joined by US Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and US Senator Jeff Bingaman to celebrate the implementation of the Aamodt water rights settlement, marking a major step forward in upholding the Obama administration's commitment to addressing the water needs of American Indian communities.

The Aamodt water rights settlement was one of four water rights settlements included in legislation signed by President Obama in 2011 that will help deliver clean drinking water to tribes in New Mexico, Arizona and Montana.

The implementation of the Aamodt settlement will provide for the construction of a regional water system to serve Indian communities in Northern New Mexico, closing a chapter on one of the longest running water rights cases in the federal court system.

WHAT:   Aamodt Water Rights Settlement Celebration

WHEN:   Thursday, September 29 9:30 am mdt

WHO:   Ernest Mirabal, Governor, Nambé Pueblo
George Rivera, Governor, Pojoaque Pueblo
Perry Martinez, Governor, San Ildefonso Pueblo
Charlie Dorame, Former Governor, Tesuque Pueblo and Chairman, Northern Pueblos Tributary Water Rights
Ken Salazar, Secretary of the Interior
Jeff Bingaman, U.S. Senator, New Mexico
Larry Echo Hawk, Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs
Mike Connor, Commissioner, Bureau of Reclamation
Virginia Vigil, Commission Chair, Santa Fe County
John D'Antonio, State Engineer, New Mexico
Everett F. Chavez, Superintendent, Santa Fe Indian School
Felisa Gulibert, Principal, Santa Fe Indian School

WHERE:   Santa Fe Indian School
Pueblo Pavilion Wellness Center
1501 Cerrillos Road
Santa Fe, New Mexico

posted September 29, 2011 6:00 am edt