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H.R.4981 / 108th Congress

Snake River Water Rights Act of 2004

Executive Comment Requested from Interior.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jul 22, 2004

Snake River Water Rights Act of 2004 - Approves, ratifies, and confirms the Mediator's Term Sheet dated April 20, 2004, (the Agreement) to resolve the Snake River Basin Adjudication litigation involving the United States, the Nez Perce Tribe (the Tribe), and the State of Idaho. Requires the Secretary of the Interior and the heads of other Federal agencies to execute and perform all actions that are necessary to carry out the Agreement.

Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary for a one-time payment to local governments to mitigate for the change of use of water acquired by the Bureau of Reclamation.

Requires the Secretary to transfer land selected by the Tribe to the Bureau of Indian Affairs to be held in trust for the Tribe.

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Provides that the consumptive use and the springs or fountains water rights be held in trust by the United States for the benefit of the Tribe. Requires the Tribe to enact a water code to be approved by the Secretary.

Establishes: (1) the Nez Perce Tribe Water and Fisheries Fund for the Tribe to acquire land and water rights, restore or improve fish habitat, or for fish production, agricultural development, cultural preservation, water resource development, or fisheries-related projects; (2) the Nez Perce Domestic Water Supply Fund to pay for the design and construction of water supply and sewer systems for tribal communities; and (3) the Salmon and Clearwater River Basins Habitat Fund to pay for habitat protection and restoration in the Salmon and Clearwater River basins. Sets forth waiver and release provisions.

Allows the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to make a grant to the City of Blackfoot, Idaho to assist with natural resource restoration and conservation and water resource development associated with the Jensen Grove Lake.

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Who introduced it

Rep. Otter, C. L. (Butch) [R-ID-1] · R–ID

Committees

  • Natural Resources Committee
1 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Executive Comment Requested from Interior.

  2. Referred to the Subcommittee on Water and Power.

  3. Referred to the House Committee on Resources.

  4. Introduced in House

  5. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

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Related bills identified by Congress.gov

Source last updated: Aug 18, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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