Reid Celebrates Signing Of The Duck Valley Shoshone-Paiute Water Rights Settlement

Statement

Nevada Senator Harry Reid released the following statement today celebrating the signing of the Duck Valley Shoshone-Paiute Water Rights Settlement. Senator Reid led the passage of the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of Duck Valley Water Settlement Act in the Senate and was a driving force behind it being signed into law. Recently, Senator Reid secured language in the 2014 Omnibus Appropriations Bill that allowed the Secretary of the Interior to pay the full amount to satisfy the last year of the five-year Duck Valley Reservation Water Rights Settlement. This totaled approximately $12 million for the Shoshone-Paiute Tribe.

"Today marks a historic day for northern Nevada and the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of Duck Valley. The Water Rights Settlement brings to an end long standing disputes between the Tribes and the United States. Beginning today, the Tribes, the state of Nevada, the individual water users along the East Fork of the Owyhee River and the United States will be able to work together to develop water rights and protect Nevada's natural resources.

"This act was the culmination of hard work and determination among many different players. I thank the Department of the Interior, the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of Duck Valley and my congressional colleagues on compromising to reach a consensus. Together we have brought certainty to water rights in northern Nevada and can now work to restore and protect the Owyhee River."

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