Calvert introduces Pechanga Water Rights Settlement Act

Rep. Ken Calvert (R-Calif.) introduced the bipartisan Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians Water Rights Settlement Act on Wednesday.

The legislation quantifies the Band’s reserved water rights in the Santa Margarita River Watershed. The legislation also authorizes necessary infrastructure to guarantee a permanent supply of water to the Band through cooperative agreements with local water purveyors, including Rancho California Water District, Eastern Municipal Water District and Metropolitan Water District.

The proposed bill would, in addition, provide a coordinated effort by the parties to manage the water within the basin that would bring all residents of the Pechanga Reservation a safe and dependable water supply for the future.

“This settlement is a result of decades of litigation and the parties have dedicated countless hours of deliberation into the terms of this settlement,” Calvert said. “I am proud to be participating in the process to bring this settlement to fruition. I look forward to assisting the parties in moving this settlement over the next hurdle – Congressional passage.”

Calvert’s bill has cosponsors from both parties that hail from California, Oklahoma, Arizona and Michigan.

Pechanga Tribal Chairman Mark Macarro said the agreement would finally secure a permanent source of water for its tribal members and is glad the costly and protracted litigation process is finalized.