President Bush is threatening to veto a bill to settle two long-running Pueblo water rights disputes in New Mexico.

S. 3381 contains two components. One would settle the water rights of Tesuque, Nambe, San Ildefonso and Pojoaque pueblos and the other would settle Taos Pueblo's water rights.

Despite repeated attempts to resolve the matter, the White House says the settlements cost too much. The federal government would be required to spend $274 million over the next decade on a regional water system and other programs.

The Senate Indian Affairs Committee approved the bill at a business meeting on Tuesday and a subcommittee of the House Natural Resources Committee is considering the measure on Thursday.

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Senate panel approves settlements on Indian water claims (The New Mexican 9/24)

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Senate Indian Affairs business meeting on Tuesday (9/22)
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Indian Affairs Committee hearing on Thursday (9/8)
Bill settles Pueblo water rights in New Mexico (8/1)