U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján put on the docket his first pieces of legislation today, five bills pertaining to water and land resources in New Mexico.

Four of the bills deal with water issues and would provide irrigation infrastructure improvement for the Rio Grande pueblos; authorization of a rural water system for eastern New Mexico; settlement of the Navajo-San Juan Indian water-rights dispute, and an assessment of the New Mexico aquifer. The fifth piece of legislation is the Sabinoso Wilderness Act.

“This package of bills is essential to providing water resources for communities across New Mexico and preserving valuable land for future generations,” said Luján. “We can make an investment in our state’s resources by passing this package and working with local communities to finalize much-needed water projects and conserve wilderness areas for the benefit of future generations.”

The Sabinoso bill, which would designate approximately 16,000 acres as wilderness 40 miles east of Las Vegas, has already passed the Senate. That version of the bill was originally written by now-U.S. Sen. Tom Udall when he served as U.S. representative in the same seat now held by Luján.

“The Sabinoso Wilderness Act will preserve valuable and treasured land and provide the next generation with the opportunity to enjoy this land,” Luján said.

So what would the bills do, according to a statement from Luján?

The Rio Grande Pueblos Irrigation Infrastructure Improvement Act would allocate federal resources to Indian tribes in New Mexico to assess and repair irrigation infrastructure in order to help conserve water resources in the area.

The Eastern New Mexico Rural Water System Authorization Act would authorize the Secretary of the Interior to provide financial assistance to the Eastern New Mexico Rural Water Authority for the planning, design, and construction of the Eastern New Mexico Rural Water System.

The Navajo-San Juan Indian Water Rights Settlement would resolve a water dispute that began in 1975 between the state of New Mexico and the Navajo Nation over the resources in the San Juan River. In 2005, a settlement was reached between the state of New Mexico and the Navajo Nation that resolved this dispute. However, it cannot be implemented without legislation that most notably authorizes a series of water infrastructure projects — including creating a water settlement and providing for funds for water resources. The passage of this legislation would resolve the Navajo Nation’s claims to the San Juan River, provide the Tribe with an important and long-term water supply, and protect the interests of non-Indian water users in the basin.

The New Mexico Aquifer Assessment Act would authorize the Secretary of Interior to conduct a study on the water resources of New Mexico.