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Bill raises concerns for Native Americans

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Monday, March 31, 2014 11:12 PM

HR 3189 is an all-out attack against Indian tribes’ land occupancy and water rights as given to us under treaties with the United States of America. It would affect land, water and resources that were taken from the Native Americans. I would like a more clear definition on paragraph 2) “Requiring any water user (including any federally recognized Indian tribe) to apply for a water right in the name of the United States under state law as a condition of such a land use or occupancy agreement.” And also on 6) “limit or expand any existing reserved water right or treaty right of any federally recognized Indian tribe.”

This is what the federal government of the United State says about HR 3189: “The bill threatens the federal government’s longstanding authority to manage property and claims proprietary rights for the benefit of Indian tribes and reserved the federal lands, and the broader public that depends on the proper management of public lands and resources.” Is this just another attempt at another land and water grab?

Christopher Chavez

Cortez

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