H. R. 4924 
One Hundred Thirteenth Congress 
of the 
United States of America 
AT THE SECOND SESSION 
Begun and held at the City of Washington on Friday, 
the third day of January, two thousand and fourteen 
An Act 
To direct the Secretary of the Interior to enter into the Big Sandy River-Planet 
Ranch Water Rights Settlement Agreement and the Hualapai Tribe Bill Williams 
River Water Rights Settlement Agreement, to provide for the lease of certain 
land located within Planet Ranch on the Bill Williams River in the State of 
Arizona to benefit the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program, 
and to provide for the settlement of specific water rights claims in the Bill 
Williams River watershed in the State of Arizona. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Bill Williams River Water Rights 
Settlement Act of 2014’’. 
SEC. 2. PURPOSES. 
The purposes of this Act are— 
(1) to achieve a fair, equitable, and final settlement of 
certain claims among certain parties to water rights in the 
Bill Williams River watershed in the State of Arizona for— 
(A) the Hualapai Tribe (acting on behalf of the Tribe 
and members of the Tribe); and 
(B) the Department of the Interior, acting on behalf 
of the Department and, as specified, the United States 
as trustee for the Hualapai Tribe, the members of the 
Tribe, and the allottees; 
(2) to approve, ratify, and confirm— 
(A) the Big Sandy River-Planet Ranch Water Rights 
Settlement Agreement entered into among the Hualapai 
Tribe, the United States as trustee for the Tribe, the mem-
bers of the Tribe and allottees, the Secretary of the Interior, 
the Arizona department of water resources, Freeport Min-
erals Corporation, and the Arizona Game and Fish Commis-
sion, to the extent the Big Sandy River-Planet Ranch Agree-
ment is consistent with this Act; and 
(B) the Hualapai Tribe Bill Williams River Water 
Rights Settlement Agreement entered into among the 
Tribe, the United States as trustee for the Tribe, members 
of the Tribe, the allottees, and the Freeport Minerals Cor-
poration, to the extent the Hualapai Tribe Agreement is 
consistent with this Act; 
(3) to authorize and direct the Secretary— 
(A) to execute the duties and obligations of the Sec-
retary under the Big Sandy River-Planet Ranch Agreement, 
the Hualapai Tribe Agreement, and this Act;
H. R. 4924—2 
(B)(i) to remove objections to the applications for the 
severance and transfer of certain water rights, in partial 
consideration of the agreement of the parties to impose 
certain limits on the extent of the use and transferability 
of the severed and transferred water right and other water 
rights; and 
(ii) to provide confirmation of those water rights; and 
(C) to carry out any other activity necessary to imple-
ment the Big Sandy River-Planet Ranch Agreement and 
the Hualapai Tribe Agreement in accordance with this 
Act; 
(4) to advance the purposes of the Lower Colorado River 
Multi-Species Conservation Program; 
(5) to secure a long-term lease for a portion of Planet 
Ranch, along with appurtenant water rights primarily along 
the Bill Williams River corridor, for use in the Conservation 
Program; 
(6) to bring the leased portion of Planet Ranch into public 
ownership for the long-term benefit of the Conservation Pro-
gram; and 
(7) to secure from the Freeport Minerals Corporation non- 
Federal contributions— 
(A) to support a tribal water supply study necessary 
for the advancement of a settlement of the claims of the 
Tribe for rights to Colorado River water; and 
(B) to enable the Tribe to secure Colorado River water 
rights and appurtenant land, increase security of the water 
rights of the Tribe, and facilitate a settlement of the claims 
of the Tribe for rights to Colorado River water. 
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) ADWR.—The term ‘‘ADWR’’ means the Arizona depart-
ment of water resources, established pursuant to title 45 of 
the Arizona Revised Statutes (or a successor agency or entity). 
(2) ALLOTMENT.—The term ‘‘allotment’’ means the 4 off- 
reservation parcels held in trust by the United States for indi-
vidual Indians in the Big Sandy River basin in Mohave County, 
Arizona, under the patents numbered 1039995, 1039996, 
1039997, and 1019494. 
(3) ALLOTTEE.—The term ‘‘allottee’’ means any Indian 
owner of an allotment under a patent numbered 1039995, 
1039996, 1039997, or 1019494. 
(4) ARIZONA
GAME
AND
FISH
COMMISSION.—The term 
‘‘Arizona Game and Fish Commission’’ means the entity estab-
lished pursuant to title 17 of the Arizona Revised Statutes 
to control the Arizona game and fish department (or a successor 
agency or entity). 
(5) BAGDAD MINE COMPLEX AND BAGDAD TOWNSITE.—The 
term ‘‘Bagdad Mine Complex and Bagdad Townsite’’ means 
the geographical area depicted on the map attached as exhibit 
2.9 to the Big Sandy River-Planet Ranch Agreement. 
(6) BIG SANDY RIVER-PLANET RANCH AGREEMENT.—The term 
‘‘Big Sandy River-Planet Ranch Agreement’’ means the Big 
Sandy River-Planet Ranch Water Rights Settlement Agreement 
dated July 2, 2014, and any amendment or exhibit (including 
exhibit amendments) to that Agreement that is—
H. R. 4924—3 
(A) made in accordance with this Act; or 
(B) otherwise approved by the Secretary and the par-
ties to the Big Sandy River-Planet Ranch Agreement. 
(7) BILL WILLIAMS RIVER WATERSHED.—The term ‘‘Bill Wil-
liams River watershed’’ means the watershed drained by the 
Bill Williams River and the tributaries of that river, including 
the Big Sandy and Santa Maria Rivers. 
(8) CONSERVATION PROGRAM.—The term ‘‘Conservation Pro-
gram’’ has the meaning given the term ‘‘Lower Colorado River 
Multi-Species Conservation Program’’ in section 9401 of the 
Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (Public Law 
111–11; 123 Stat. 1327). 
(9) CORPORATION.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘‘Corporation’’ means the 
Freeport Minerals Corporation, incorporated in the State 
of Delaware. 
(B) INCLUSIONS.—The term ‘‘Corporation’’ includes all 
subsidiaries, affiliates, successors, and assigns of the Free-
port Minerals Corporation (such as Byner Cattle Company, 
incorporated in the State of Nevada). 
(10) DEPARTMENT.—The term ‘‘Department’’ means the 
Department of the Interior and all constituent bureaus of that 
Department. 
(11) ENFORCEABILITY DATE.—The term ‘‘enforceability date’’ 
means the date described in section 9. 
(12) FREEPORT GROUNDWATER WELLS.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—The term ‘‘Freeport Groundwater 
Wells’’ means the 5 wells identified by ADWR well registra-
tion numbers— 
(i) 55–592824; 
(ii) 55–595808; 
(iii) 55–595810; 
(iv) 55–200964; and 
(v) 55–908273. 
(B) INCLUSIONS.—The term ‘‘Freeport Groundwater 
Wells’’ includes any replacement of a well referred to in 
subparagraph (A) drilled by or for the Corporation to supply 
water to the Bagdad Mine Complex and Bagdad Townsite. 
(C) EXCLUSIONS.—The term ‘‘Freeport Groundwater 
Wells’’ does not include any other well owned by the Cor-
poration at any other location. 
(13) HUALAPAI
TRIBE
AGREEMENT.—The term ‘‘Hualapai 
Tribe Agreement’’ means the Hualapai Tribe Bill Williams 
River Water Rights Settlement Agreement dated July 2, 2014, 
including any amendment or exhibit (including exhibit amend-
ments) to that Agreement that is— 
(A) made in accordance with this Act; or 
(B) otherwise approved by the Secretary and the par-
ties to the Agreement. 
(14) HUALAPAI TRIBE WATER RIGHTS SETTLEMENT AGREE-
MENT.—The term ‘‘Hualapai Tribe Water Rights Settlement 
Agreement’’ means the comprehensive settlement agreement 
in the process of negotiation as of the date of enactment of 
this Act to resolve the claims of the Tribe for rights to Colorado 
River water and Verde River water with finality. 
(15) INJURY.—
H. R. 4924—4 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘‘injury’’, with respect to 
a water right, means any interference with, diminution 
of, or deprivation of the water right under Federal, State, 
or other law. 
(B) EXCLUSION.—The term ‘‘injury’’ does not include 
any injury to water quality. 
(16) LINCOLN RANCH.—The term ‘‘Lincoln Ranch’’ means 
the property owned by the Corporation described in the special 
warranty deed recorded on December 4, 1995, at Book 1995 
and Page 05874 in the official records of La Paz County, 
Arizona. 
(17) PARCEL
1.—The term ‘‘Parcel 1’’ means the parcel 
of land that— 
(A) is depicted as 3 contiguous allotments identified 
as 1A, 1B, and 1C on the map attached to the Big Sandy 
River-Planet Ranch Agreement as exhibit 2.10; and 
(B) is held in trust for certain allottees. 
(18) PARCEL
2.—The term ‘‘Parcel 2’’ means the parcel 
of land that— 
(A) is depicted on the map attached to the Big Sandy 
River-Planet Ranch Agreement as exhibit 2.10; and 
(B) is held in trust for certain allottees. 
(19) PARCEL
3.—The term ‘‘Parcel 3’’ means the parcel 
of land that— 
(A) is depicted on the map attached to the Big Sandy 
River-Planet Ranch Agreement as exhibit 2.10; 
(B) is held in trust for the Tribe; and 
(C) is part of the Hualapai Reservation pursuant to 
Executive Order No. 1368 of June 2, 1911. 
(20) PARTY.—The term ‘‘party’’ means an individual or 
entity that is a signatory to— 
(A) the Big Sandy River-Planet Ranch Agreement; or 
(B) the Hualapai Tribe Agreement. 
(21) PLANET RANCH.—The term ‘‘Planet Ranch’’ means the 
property owned by the Corporation described— 
(A) in the special warranty deed recorded on December 
14, 2011, at Book 2011 and Page 05267 in the official 
records of La Paz County, Arizona; and 
(B) as Instrument No. 2011–062804 in the official 
records of Mohave County, Arizona. 
(22) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Sec-
retary of the Interior. 
(23) SEVER AND TRANSFER APPLICATIONS.—The term ‘‘sever 
and transfer applications’’ means the applications filed or 
amended by the Corporation and pending on the date of enact-
ment of this Act to sever and transfer certain water rights— 
(A) from Lincoln Ranch and from Planet Ranch to 
the Wikieup Wellfield for use at the Bagdad Mine Complex 
and Bagdad Townsite; and 
(B) from portions of Planet Ranch (as determined on 
the date on which the applications were filed or amended) 
to new locations within Planet Ranch. 
(24) TRIBE.—The term ‘‘Tribe’’ means the Hualapai Tribe, 
organized under section 16 of the Act of June 18, 1934 (25 
U.S.C. 476) (commonly known as the ‘‘Indian Reorganization 
Act’’), and recognized by the Secretary. 
(25) WATER RIGHT.—The term ‘‘water right’’ means—
H. R. 4924—5 
(A) any right in or to groundwater, surface water, 
or effluent under Federal, State, or other law; and 
(B) for purposes of subsections (d) and (e) of section 
5, any right to Colorado River water. 
(26) WIKIEUP WELLFIELD.—The term ‘‘Wikieup Wellfield’’ 
means the geographical area depicted on the map attached 
as exhibit 2.10 to the Big Sandy River-Planet Ranch Agreement. 
SEC. 4. BIG SANDY RIVER-PLANET RANCH AGREEMENT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Except to the extent that any provision of, 
or amendment to, the Big Sandy River-Planet Ranch Agreement 
conflicts with this Act— 
(1) the Big Sandy River-Planet Ranch Agreement is author-
ized, ratified, and confirmed; and 
(2) any amendment to the Big Sandy River-Planet Ranch 
Agreement executed to make the Big Sandy River-Planet Ranch 
Agreement consistent with this Act is authorized, ratified, and 
confirmed. 
(b) EXECUTION.—To the extent that the Big Sandy River-Planet 
Ranch Agreement does not conflict with this Act, and in support 
of the purposes of this Act, the Secretary shall execute— 
(1) the Big Sandy River-Planet Ranch Agreement (including 
all exhibits to the Big Sandy River-Planet Ranch Agreement 
requiring the signature of the Secretary); 
(2) any amendment to the Big Sandy River-Planet Ranch 
Agreement (including any amendment to an exhibit of the 
Big Sandy River-Planet Ranch Agreement requiring the signa-
ture of the Secretary) that is necessary to make the Big Sandy 
River-Planet Ranch Agreement consistent with this Act; and 
(3) a conditional withdrawal of each objection filed by the 
Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Bureau of Land Management, 
and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to the sever 
and transfer applications in the form set forth in exhibit 
4.2.1(ii)(b) to the Big Sandy River-Planet Ranch Agreement. 
(c) MODIFICATIONS AND CORRECTIONS.—The Secretary may exe-
cute any other amendment to the Big Sandy River Planet-Ranch 
Agreement (including any amendment to an exhibit to the Big 
Sandy River-Planet Ranch Agreement requiring the signature of 
the Secretary) that is not inconsistent with this Act, if the amend-
ment— 
(1) is approved by the Secretary and the parties to the 
Big Sandy River-Planet Ranch Agreement; and 
(2) does not require approval by Congress. 
(d) PROHIBITION.—The Secretary shall not file an objection to 
any amendment to the sever and transfer applications or any new 
sever or transfer application filed by the Corporation to accomplish 
the sever and transfer of 10,055 acre-feet per year of water rights 
from Planet Ranch and Lincoln Ranch to the Wikieup Wellfield, 
subject to the condition that the form of such an amendment or 
new application shall be substantially similar to a form attached 
to the Big Sandy River-Planet Ranch Agreement as exhibit 
4.2.1(ii)(a)(1) or 4.2.1(ii)(a)(2). 
SEC. 5. HUALAPAI TRIBE AGREEMENT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Except to the extent that any provision of, 
or amendment to, the Hualapai Tribe Agreement conflicts with 
this Act—
H. R. 4924—6 
(1) the Hualapai Tribe Agreement is authorized, ratified, 
and confirmed; and 
(2) any amendment to the Hualapai Tribe Agreement 
executed to make the Hualapai Tribe Agreement consistent 
with this Act is authorized, ratified, and confirmed. 
(b) EXECUTION.—To the extent that the Hualapai Tribe Agree-
ment does not conflict with this Act, and in support of the purposes 
of this Act, the Secretary shall execute— 
(1) the Hualapai Tribe Agreement (including all exhibits 
to the Hualapai Tribe Agreement requiring the signature of 
the Secretary); and 
(2) any amendment to the Hualapai Tribe Agreement 
(including any amendment to an exhibit of the Hualapai Tribe 
Agreement requiring the signature of the Secretary) that is 
necessary to make the Hualapai Tribe Agreement consistent 
with this Act. 
(c) MODIFICATIONS AND CORRECTIONS.—The Secretary may exe-
cute any other amendment to the Hualapai Tribe Agreement 
(including any amendment to an exhibit to the Hualapai Tribe 
Agreement requiring the signature of the Secretary) that is not 
inconsistent with this Act, if the amendment— 
(1) is approved by the Secretary and the parties to the 
Hualapai Tribe Agreement; and 
(2) does not require approval by Congress. 
(d) CONTRIBUTION OF CORPORATION TO ECONOMIC DEVELOP-
MENT FUND.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The contribution of the Corporation to 
the economic development fund of the Tribe, as provided in 
section 8.1 of the Hualapai Tribe Agreement— 
(A) may be used by the Tribe for the limited purpose 
of facilitating settlement of the claims of the Tribe for 
rights to Colorado River water by enabling the Tribe— 
(i) to acquire Colorado River water rights with 
the intent to increase the security of the water rights 
of the Tribe; and 
(ii) to otherwise facilitate the use of water on the 
Hualapai Reservation; 
(B) shall be considered to be a non-Federal contribution 
that counts toward any non-Federal contribution associated 
with a settlement of the claims of the Tribe for rights 
to Colorado River water; and 
(C) shall not be— 
(i) considered to be trust funds; or 
(ii) subject to responsibility or management by the 
United States as trustee for the Tribe, members of 
the Tribe, and the allottees. 
(2) LIMITATION ON TRANSFER OF WATER RIGHTS.—The Colo-
rado River water rights acquired by the Tribe may be used 
off the Hualapai Reservation only for irrigation of acquired 
appurtenant land, or for storage in accordance with Federal 
and State law in a permitted recharge facility in the State 
of Arizona, subject to the conditions that— 
(A) the Tribe shall not seek to transfer or sell accumu-
lated long-term storage credits generated from the storage 
of the acquired Colorado River water rights; and 
(B) the Tribe shall not seek approval to change the 
place of use of the acquired Colorado River water rights,
H. R. 4924—7 
except for the purposes of storing the water in accordance 
with this paragraph. 
(3) EXPIRATION.—The limitation provided under paragraph 
(2) expires on the earlier of— 
(A) the date on which the Hualapai Tribe Water Rights 
Settlement Agreement becomes enforceable; and 
(B) December 31, 2039. 
(4) COLORADO
RIVER
WATER
RIGHTS
COUNTED
AGAINST 
CLAIMS OF TRIBE.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—If the Hualapai Tribe Water Rights 
Settlement Agreement does not become enforceable by 
December 31, 2039, any Colorado River water rights 
acquired by the Tribe with the contribution of the Corpora-
tion to the economic development fund of the Tribe shall 
be counted, on an acre-foot per acre-foot basis, toward 
the claims of the Tribe for rights to Colorado River water. 
(B) EFFECT OF PARAGRAPH.—Nothing in this paragraph 
restricts any claim for rights of the Tribe to Colorado 
River water. 
(e) FUTURE LIMITATIONS ON LAND TAKEN INTO TRUST.—As pro-
vided in section 10.11 of the Hualapai Tribe Agreement, the parties 
to the Hualapai Tribe Agreement shall negotiate in good faith 
with other parties the terms under which any land within the 
State of Arizona held or acquired in fee by the Tribe may be 
taken into trust by the United States for the benefit of the Tribe, 
with any applicable terms to be incorporated into the Hualapai 
Tribe Water Rights Settlement Agreement, subject to approval by 
Congress. 
SEC. 6. WAIVERS, RELEASES, AND RETENTION OF CLAIMS. 
(a) CLAIMS BY DEPARTMENT UNDER BIG SANDY RIVER-PLANET 
RANCH AGREEMENT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in paragraph (3), the 
Secretary is authorized to execute a waiver and release of 
all claims of the Department, acting in its own capacity, against 
the Corporation under Federal, State, or any other law for— 
(A) all past and present claims for injury to water 
rights resulting from the diversion of water by the Corpora-
tion from the Wikieup Wellfield or the Freeport Ground-
water Wells arising prior to the enforceability date; 
(B) all claims for injury to water rights arising after 
the enforceability date resulting from the diversion of water 
by the Corporation from the Wikieup Wellfield or the Free-
port Groundwater Wells in a manner not in violation of 
the Big Sandy River-Planet Ranch Agreement; and 
(C) all past, present, and future claims arising out 
of, or relating in any manner to, the negotiation or execu-
tion of the Big Sandy River-Planet Ranch Agreement. 
(2) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The waivers and releases of claims 
under paragraph (1) shall— 
(A) be in the form set forth in exhibit 7.2(ii) to the 
Big Sandy River-Planet Ranch Agreement; and 
(B) take effect on the enforceability date. 
(3) RETENTION OF RIGHTS.—The Department shall retain 
all rights not expressly waived under paragraph (1), including 
the right—
H. R. 4924—8 
(A) to assert any claim for breach of, or to seek enforce-
ment of, the Big Sandy River-Planet Ranch Agreement 
or this Act in any court of competent jurisdiction (but 
not a tribal court); and 
(B) to assert any past, present, or future claim to 
a water right that is not inconsistent with the Big Sandy 
River-Planet Ranch Agreement or this Act. 
(b) CLAIMS BY TRIBE AND UNITED STATES AS TRUSTEE UNDER 
BIG SANDY RIVER-PLANET RANCH AGREEMENT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in paragraph (3), the 
Tribe and the United States, acting as trustee for the Tribe 
and members of the Tribe, are authorized to execute a waiver 
and release of all claims against the Corporation for— 
(A) any water rights of the Tribe or the United States 
as trustee for the Tribe and members of the Tribe with 
respect to Parcel 3 in excess of 300 acre-feet per year; 
(B) all past and present claims for injury to water 
rights arising before the enforceability date resulting from 
the diversion of water by the Corporation from the Wikieup 
Wellfield or the Freeport Groundwater Wells; and 
(C) all claims for injury to water rights arising after 
the enforceability date resulting from the diversion of water 
by the Corporation from the Wikieup Wellfield or the Free-
port Groundwater Wells in a manner not in violation of 
the Big Sandy River-Planet Ranch Agreement or the 
Hualapai Tribe Agreement. 
(2) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The waivers and releases of claims 
under paragraph (1) shall— 
(A) be in the form set forth in exhibit 7.1(ii) to the 
Hualapai Tribe Agreement; and 
(B) take effect on the enforceability date. 
(3) RETENTION
OF
RIGHTS.—The Tribe and the United 
States, acting as trustee for the Tribe and members of the 
Tribe, shall retain all rights not expressly waived under para-
graph (1), including the right— 
(A) to assert any claim for breach of, or to seek enforce-
ment of, the Big Sandy River-Planet Ranch Agreement 
or this Act in any court of competent jurisdiction (but 
not a tribal court); and 
(B) to assert any past, present, or future claim to 
a water right that is not inconsistent with the Big Sandy 
River-Planet Ranch Agreement or this Act. 
(c) CLAIMS
BY UNITED STATES
AS TRUSTEE
FOR ALLOTTEES 
UNDER BIG SANDY RIVER-PLANET RANCH AGREEMENT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in paragraph (3), the 
United States, acting as trustee for the allottees, is authorized 
to execute a waiver and release of all claims against the Cor-
poration for— 
(A) any water rights of the allottees or the United 
States as trustee for the allottees with respect to— 
(i) Parcel 1 in excess of 82 acre-feet per year; 
or 
(ii) Parcel 2 in excess of 312 acre-feet per year; 
(B) all past and present claims for injury to water 
rights arising before the enforceability date resulting from 
the diversion of water by the Corporation from the Wikieup 
Wellfield or the Freeport Groundwater Wells; and
H. R. 4924—9 
(C) all claims for injury to water rights arising after 
the enforceability date resulting from the diversion of water 
by the Corporation from the Wikieup Wellfield or the Free-
port Groundwater Wells in a manner not in violation of 
the Big Sandy River-Planet Ranch Agreement. 
(2) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The waivers and releases of claims 
under paragraph (1) shall— 
(A) be in the form set forth in exhibit 7.1(ii) to the 
Hualapai Tribe Agreement; and 
(B) take effect on the enforceability date. 
(3) RETENTION OF RIGHTS.—The United States, acting as 
trustee for the allottees, shall retain all rights not expressly 
waived under paragraph (1), including the right— 
(A) to assert any claim for breach of, or to seek enforce-
ment of, the Big Sandy River-Planet Ranch Agreement 
or this Act in any court of competent jurisdiction (but 
not a tribal court); and 
(B) to assert any past, present, or future claim to 
a water right that is not inconsistent with the Big Sandy 
River-Planet Ranch Agreement or this Act. 
(d) CLAIMS BY TRIBE AND UNITED STATES AS TRUSTEE UNDER 
HUALAPAI TRIBE AGREEMENT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in paragraph (3), the 
Tribe and the United States, acting as trustee for the Tribe, 
members of the Tribe, and the allottees, as part of the perform-
ance of obligations under the Hualapai Tribe Agreement, are 
authorized to execute a waiver and release of all claims that 
the Tribe or the United States as trustee for the Tribe, members 
of the Tribe, or the allottees may have against the Corporation 
under Federal, State, or any other law, for— 
(A) all past and present claims for injury to water 
rights resulting from the diversion of water by the Corpora-
tion from the Bill Williams River watershed arising prior 
to the enforceability date; 
(B) all claims for injury to water rights arising after 
the enforceability date resulting from the diversion of water 
by the Corporation from the Bill Williams River watershed 
in a manner not in violation of the Hualapai Tribe Agree-
ment or the Big Sandy River-Planet Ranch Agreement; 
and 
(C) all past, present, and future claims arising out 
of, or relating in any manner to, the negotiation or execu-
tion of the Hualapai Tribe Agreement. 
(2) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The waivers and releases of claims 
under paragraph (1) shall— 
(A) be in the form set forth in exhibit 7.1(ii) to the 
Hualapai Tribe Agreement; and 
(B) take effect on the enforceability date. 
(3) RETENTION
OF
RIGHTS.—The Tribe and the United 
States, acting as trustee for the Tribe, the members of the 
Tribe, and the allottees, shall retain all rights not expressly 
waived under paragraph (1), including the right to assert— 
(A) subject to paragraph 10.5 of the Hualapai Tribe 
Agreement, a claim for breach of, or to seek enforcement 
of, the Hualapai Tribe Agreement or this Act in any court 
of competent jurisdiction (but not a tribal court);
H. R. 4924—10 
(B) any claim for injury to, or to seek enforcement 
of, the rights of the Tribe under any applicable judgment 
or decree approving or incorporating the Hualapai Tribe 
Agreement; and 
(C) any past, present, or future claim to water rights 
that is not inconsistent with the Hualapai Tribe Agreement 
or this Act. 
(e) CLAIMS BY TRIBE AGAINST UNITED STATES UNDER BIG SANDY 
RIVER-PLANET RANCH AGREEMENT AND HUALAPAI TRIBE AGREE-
MENT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—In consideration for the benefits to the 
Tribe, as set forth in the Big Sandy River-Planet Ranch Agree-
ment, the Hualapai Tribe Agreement, and this Act, except 
as provided in paragraph (3), the Tribe, on behalf of the Tribe 
and the members of the Tribe, is authorized to execute a 
waiver and release of all claims against the United States 
and the agents and employees of the United States for— 
(A) all past, present, and future claims relating to 
claims for water rights for Parcel 3 in excess of 300 acre- 
feet per year that the United States, acting as trustee 
for the Tribe, asserted or could have asserted against any 
party to the Big Sandy River-Planet Ranch Agreement 
or the Hualapai Tribe Agreement, including the Corpora-
tion, including claims relating to— 
(i) loss of water, water rights, land, or natural 
resources due to loss of water or water rights on Parcel 
3 (including damages, losses, or injuries to hunting, 
fishing, and gathering rights due to loss of water, 
water rights, or subordination of water rights); or 
(ii) failure to protect, acquire, replace, or develop 
water, water rights, or water infrastructure on Parcel 
3; 
(B) all past, present, and future claims relating to 
injury to water rights associated with Parcel 3 arising 
from withdrawal of a protest to the sever and transfer 
applications referenced in the Big Sandy River-Planet 
Ranch Agreement; 
(C) all claims relating to injury to water rights arising 
after the enforceability date associated with Parcel 3, 
resulting from the diversion of water by the Corporation 
from the Bill Williams River watershed in a manner not 
in violation of the Hualapai Tribe Agreement; and 
(D) all past, present, and future claims relating to 
any potential injury arising out of, or relating in any 
manner to, the negotiation or execution of the Big Sandy 
River-Planet Ranch Agreement or the Hualapai Tribe 
Agreement. 
(2) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The waivers and releases of claims 
under paragraph (1) shall— 
(A) be in the form set forth in, as applicable— 
(i) exhibit 7.6(ii) to the Big Sandy River-Planet 
Ranch Agreement; or 
(ii) exhibit 7.3(ii) to the Hualapai Tribe Agreement; 
and 
(B) take effect on the enforceability date. 
(3) RETENTION OF RIGHTS.—The Tribe shall retain all rights 
not expressly waived under paragraph (1), including the right—
H. R. 4924—11 
(A) to assert any claim for breach of, or to seek enforce-
ment of, the Big Sandy River-Planet Ranch Agreement, 
the Hualapai Tribe Agreement, or this Act in any court 
of competent jurisdiction (but not a tribal court); and 
(B) to assert any past, present, or future claim to 
a water right that is not inconsistent with the Big Sandy 
River-Planet Ranch Agreement, the Hualapai Tribe Agree-
ment, or this Act. 
SEC. 7. ADMINISTRATION. 
(a) AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) DEFINITIONS.—Section 9401 of the Omnibus Public Land 
Management Act of 2009 (Public Law 111–11; 123 Stat. 1327) 
is amended— 
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (5) as 
paragraphs (2) through (6), respectively; and 
(B) by inserting before paragraph (2) (as so redesig-
nated) the following: 
‘‘(1) BIG
SANDY
RIVER-PLANET
RANCH
AGREEMENT.—The 
term ‘Big Sandy River-Planet Ranch Agreement’ has the 
meaning given the term in section 3 of the Bill Williams River 
Water Rights Settlement Act of 2014.’’. 
(2) ENFORCEABILITY.—Section 9403 of the Omnibus Public 
Land Management Act of 2009 (Public Law 111–11; 123 Stat. 
1328) is amended— 
(A) by striking the section designation and heading 
and all that follows through ‘‘Due to’’ in subsection (a) 
and inserting the following: 
‘‘SEC. 9403. ENFORCEABILITY. 
‘‘(a) CIVIL ACTIONS.— 
‘‘(1) COLORADO RIVER CIVIL ACTIONS.— 
‘‘(A) DESCRIPTION OF CIVIL ACTION.—Due to’’; and 
(B) in subsection (a) (as amended by subparagraph 
(A))— 
(i) in paragraph (1) (as so amended), by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘(B) VENUE.—Any civil action under this paragraph 
may be brought in any United States district court in 
the State in which any non-Federal party to the civil action 
is situated.’’; and 
(ii) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(2) BILL WILLIAMS CIVIL ACTIONS.— 
‘‘(A) DESCRIPTION OF CIVIL ACTION.—Due to the unique 
role of the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conserva-
tion Program in resolving competing water rights claims 
in the Bill Williams River watershed (as defined in section 
3 of the Bill Williams River Water Rights Settlement Act 
of 2014) and other claims among the parties to the Big 
Sandy-River Planet Ranch Agreement, any party to the 
Big Sandy River-Planet Ranch Agreement may commence 
a civil action in a court described in subparagraph (B) 
relating only and directly to the interpretation or enforce-
ment of— 
‘‘(i) the Bill Williams River Water Rights Settle-
ment Act of 2014; or 
‘‘(ii) the Big Sandy River-Planet Ranch Agreement.
H. R. 4924—12 
‘‘(B) VENUE.—A civil action under this paragraph may 
be brought in— 
‘‘(i) the United States District Court for the District 
of Arizona; or 
‘‘(ii) a State court of competent jurisdiction where 
a pending action has been brought to adjudicate the 
water rights associated with the Bill Williams River 
system and source, in accordance with the authority 
provided by section 208 of the Act of July 10, 1952 
(commonly known as the ‘McCarran Amendment’) (43 
U.S.C. 666).’’; 
(3) in subsection (b)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘The district’’ and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The district’’; 
(B) in paragraph (1) (as so designated), by striking 
‘‘such actions’’ and inserting ‘‘civil actions described in sub-
section (a)(1)’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(2) STATE COURTS AND DISTRICT COURTS.—A State court 
or United States district court— 
‘‘(A) shall have jurisdiction over civil actions described 
in subsection (a)(2); and 
‘‘(B) may issue such orders, judgments, and decrees 
as are consistent with the exercise of jurisdiction by the 
court pursuant to— 
‘‘(i) this section; or 
‘‘(ii) section 7 of the Bill Williams River Water 
Rights Settlement Act of 2014. 
‘‘(3) EFFECT OF SUBSECTION.—Nothing in this subsection 
affects the jurisdiction that would otherwise be available in 
accordance with the authority provided by section 208 of the 
Act of July 10, 1952 (commonly known as the ‘McCarran 
Amendment’) (43 U.S.C. 666).’’; 
(4) in subsection (d)(2), by striking the paragraph designa-
tion and heading and all that follows through subparagraph 
(A) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(2) APPLICABILITY.—This section— 
‘‘(A) applies only to— 
‘‘(i) the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Con-
servation Program; 
‘‘(ii) the Bill Williams River Water Rights Settle-
ment Act of 2014; and 
‘‘(iii) the Big Sandy River-Planet Ranch Agree-
ment; and’’; and 
(5) by striking subsection (e). 
(b) LIMITED WAIVER OF SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—If any party to the Big Sandy River- 
Planet Ranch Agreement or the Hualapai Tribe Agreement 
brings a civil action in a court described in paragraph (2) 
relating only and directly to the interpretation or enforcement 
of this Act (or an amendment made by this Act), the Big 
Sandy River-Planet Ranch Agreement, or the Hualapai Tribe 
Agreement— 
(A) the Tribe and the United States, acting as trustee 
for the Tribe, members of the Tribe, or the allottees, may 
be named as a party or joined in the civil action; and
H. R. 4924—13 
(B) any claim by the Tribe or the United States, acting 
as trustee for the Tribe, members of the Tribe, or the 
allottees, to sovereign immunity from the civil action is 
waived, but only for the limited and sole purpose of the 
interpretation or enforcement of this Act (or an amendment 
made by this Act), the Big Sandy River-Planet Ranch 
Agreement, or the Hualapai Tribe Agreement. 
(2) VENUE.—A court referred to in paragraph (1) is— 
(A) the United States District Court for the District 
of Arizona; or 
(B) a State court of competent jurisdiction where a 
pending action has been brought to adjudicate the water 
rights associated with the Bill Williams River system and 
source, in accordance with the authority provided by section 
208 of the Act of July 10, 1952 (commonly known as the 
‘‘McCarran Amendment’’) (43 U.S.C. 666). 
(3) JURISDICTION.—A State court or a United States district 
court— 
(A) shall have jurisdiction over civil actions described 
in paragraph (1); and 
(B) may issue such orders, judgments, and decrees 
as are consistent with the exercise of jurisdiction by the 
court pursuant to— 
(i) this section; or 
(ii) section 9403(b) of the Omnibus Public Land 
Management Act of 2009 (Public Law 111–11; 123 
Stat. 1328). 
(4) NONWAIVER FOR CERTAIN CLAIMS.—Nothing in this sub-
section waives the sovereign immunity of the Tribe or the 
United States, acting as trustee for the Tribe, members of 
the Tribe, or the allottees, to claims for monetary damages, 
costs, or attorneys’ fees. 
(c) ANTIDEFICIENCY.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any authorization of 
appropriations to carry out this Act, the expenditure or advance 
of any funds, and the performance of any obligation by the 
Department in any capacity, pursuant to this Act shall be 
contingent on the appropriation of funds for that expenditure, 
advance, or performance. 
(2) LIABILITY.—The Department shall not be liable for the 
failure to carry out any obligation or activity authorized by 
this Act if adequate appropriations are not provided to carry 
out this Act. 
(d) PUBLIC ACCESS.—Nothing in this Act prohibits reasonable 
public access to the Conservation Program land at Planet Ranch 
or Lincoln Ranch in a manner that is consistent with all applicable 
Federal and State laws and any applicable conservation manage-
ment plan implemented under the Conservation Program. 
(e) EFFECT.—Nothing in the Big Sandy River-Planet Ranch 
Agreement, the Hualapai Tribe Agreement, or this Act— 
(1) affects the ability of the United States to carry out 
any action in the capacity of the United States as trustee 
for any other Indian tribe or allottee; 
(2) except as provided in subsections (a) and (b), confers 
jurisdiction on any State court—
H. R. 4924—14 
(A) to interpret Federal law or determine the duties 
of the United States or any other party pursuant to Federal 
law; or 
(B) to conduct judicial review of a Federal agency 
action; or 
(3) limits the right of any member of the Tribe (acting 
in an individual capacity) to assert or acquire any water right 
based on State law. 
SEC. 8. ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—In implementing the Big Sandy River-Planet 
Ranch Agreement, the Hualapai Tribe Agreement, and this Act, 
the Secretary shall comply with all applicable Federal environ-
mental laws (including regulations), including— 
(1) the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); and 
(2) the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 
et seq.). 
(b) EXECUTION OF AGREEMENTS.—The execution by the Sec-
retary of the Big Sandy River-Planet Ranch Agreement and the 
Hualapai Tribe Agreement in accordance with this Act shall not 
constitute a major Federal action for purposes of section 102 of 
the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332). 
(c) UNITED STATES ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY.—Nothing in this 
Act, the Big Sandy River-Planet Ranch Agreement, or the Hualapai 
Tribe Agreement affects any right of the United States to take 
any action (including any environmental action) under any law 
(including regulations and common law) relating to human health, 
safety, or the environment. 
SEC. 9. ENFORCEABILITY DATE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subsection (b), the 
enforceability date shall be the date on which the Secretary pub-
lishes in the Federal Register a statement of findings that— 
(1)(A) to the extent that the Big Sandy River-Planet Ranch 
Agreement or the Hualapai Tribe Agreement conflict with this 
Act, the applicable agreement has been revised by amendment 
to eliminate the conflict; and 
(B) the Big Sandy River-Planet Ranch Agreement and the 
Hualapai Tribe Agreement have been executed by all parties 
to those agreements; 
(2) the Corporation has submitted to ADWR a conditional 
amendment of the sever and transfer applications for the Lin-
coln Ranch water right and amendments to the sever and 
transfer applications for Planet Ranch and Lincoln Ranch water 
rights consistent with section 4.2.1(ii)(a) of the Big Sandy River- 
Planet Ranch Agreement; 
(3) the Secretary and the Arizona Game and Fish Commis-
sion have executed and filed with ADWR a conditional with-
drawal of each objection described in section 4(b)(3); 
(4)(A) ADWR has issued a conditional order approving the 
sever and transfer applications of the Corporation; and 
(B) all objections to the sever and transfer applications 
have been— 
(i) conditionally withdrawn; or 
(ii) resolved in a decision issued by ADWR that is 
final and nonappealable;
H. R. 4924—15 
(5) the Secretary has provided a notice to the parties to 
the Big Sandy River-Planet Ranch Agreement and the Hualapai 
Tribe Agreement that the Department has completed the legally 
required environmental compliance described in section 8; 
(6) the steering committee for the Conservation Program 
has approved and authorized the manager of the Conservation 
Program to execute the lease in the form as set forth in exhibit 
2.33 to the Big Sandy River-Planet Ranch Agreement; and 
(7) the waivers and releases authorized by section 6 have 
been executed by the Tribe and the Secretary. 
(b) RATIFICATION AND EXECUTION OF AGREEMENTS.—Notwith-
standing subsection (a), for purposes of sections 4, 5, and 8, the 
Secretary shall carry out the requirements of this Act as promptly 
as practicable after the date of enactment of this Act. 
(c) FAILURE OF ENFORCEABILITY DATE TO OCCUR.—If the Sec-
retary does not publish a statement of findings under subsection 
(a) by December 15, 2015, or an extended date agreed to by the 
Tribe, the Secretary, and the Corporation, after providing reason-
able notice to the State of Arizona— 
(1) this Act is repealed effective beginning on the later 
of— 
(A) December 31, 2015; and 
(B) the date that is 14 days after the extended date 
agreed to by the Tribe, the Secretary, and the Corporation, 
after providing reasonable notice to the State of Arizona; 
(2) any action taken by the Secretary to carry out this 
Act shall cease, and any agreement executed pursuant to this 
Act, shall be void; and 
(3) the Tribe, members of the Tribe, the allottees, and 
the United States, acting as trustee for the Tribe, members 
of the Tribe, and the allottees, shall retain the right to assert 
past, present, and future claims to water rights and claims 
for injury to water rights in the Bill Williams River watershed. 
Speaker of the House of Representatives. 
Vice President of the United States and
President of the Senate.