113TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 4924 
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 Representa-
tives 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 settle-
ment 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 members of 
the Tribe and allottees, the Secretary of the In-
terior, the Arizona department of water re-
sources, Freeport Minerals Corporation, and 
the Arizona Game and Fish Commission, to the 
extent the Big Sandy River-Planet Ranch 
Agreement 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 Corpora-
tion, to the extent the Hualapai Tribe Agree-
ment is consistent with this Act; 
(3) to authorize and direct the Secretary— 
(A) to execute the duties and obligations of 
the Secretary under the Big Sandy River-Planet 
Ranch Agreement, the Hualapai Tribe Agree-
ment, and this Act; 
(B)(i) to remove objections to the applica-
tions for the severance and transfer of certain 
water rights, in partial consideration of the 
agreement of the parties to impose certain lim-
its 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
(A) IN
GENERAL.—The term ‘‘Corpora-
tion’’ means the Freeport Minerals Corporation, 
incorporated in the State of Delaware. 
(B) INCLUSIONS.—The term ‘‘Corpora-
tion’’ includes all subsidiaries, affiliates, succes-
sors, and assigns of the Freeport Minerals Cor-
poration (such as Byner Cattle Company, incor-
porated in the State of Nevada). 
(10) DEPARTMENT.—The term ‘‘Department’’ 
means the Department of the Interior and all con-
stituent bureaus of that Department. 
(11) ENFORCEABILITY DATE.—The term ‘‘en-
forceability date’’ means the date described in sec-
tion 9. 
(12) FREEPORT GROUNDWATER WELLS.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—The term ‘‘Freeport 
Groundwater Wells’’ means the 5 wells identi-
fied by ADWR well registration 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 Corporation at any other lo-
cation. 
(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 parties to the Agreement. 
(14) HUALAPAI TRIBE WATER RIGHTS SETTLE-
MENT
AGREEMENT.—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 fi-
nality. 
(15) INJURY.—
(A) IN
GENERAL.—The term ‘‘injury’’, 
with respect to a water right, means any inter-
ference 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 Corpora-
tion 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, Ari-
zona. 
(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 at-
tached 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 indi-
vidual 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 Corpora-
tion 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 Secretary 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 enactment 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 de-
termined 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— 
(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 de-
picted 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 pro-
vision of, or amendment to, the Big Sandy River-Planet 
Ranch Agreement conflicts with this Act— 
(1) the Big Sandy River-Planet Ranch Agree-
ment is authorized, 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 Sec-
retary shall execute— 
(1) the Big Sandy River-Planet Ranch Agree-
ment (including all exhibits to the Big Sandy River- 
Planet Ranch Agreement requiring the signature of 
the Secretary);
(2) any amendment to the Hualapai Tribe 
Agreement (including any amendment to an exhibit 
of the Hualapai Tribe Agreement requiring the sig-
nature of the Secretary) that is necessary to make 
the Hualapai Tribe Agreement consistent with this 
Act. 
(c) MODIFICATIONS AND CORRECTIONS.—The Sec-
retary may execute 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 
DEVELOPMENT FUND.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The contribution of the Cor-
poration 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 lim-
ited 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 secu-
rity 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-Fed-
eral 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 man-
agement by the United States as trustee 
for the Tribe, members of the Tribe, and 
the allottees. 
(2) LIMITATION
ON
TRANSFER
OF
WATER 
RIGHTS.—The Colorado River water rights acquired 
by the Tribe may be used off the Hualapai Reserva-
tion 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 accumulated long-term storage credits gen-
erated from the storage of the acquired Colo-
rado River water rights; and 
(B) the Tribe shall not seek approval to 
change the place of use of the acquired Colo-
rado River water rights, 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 Corporation 
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 provided in section 10.11 of the Hualapai 
Tribe Agreement, the parties to the Hualapai Tribe Agree-
ment 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, sub-
ject 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 para-
graph (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 Corporation from the Wikieup
Wellfield or the Freeport Groundwater 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 Freeport 
Groundwater Wells in a manner not in violation 
of the Big Sandy River-Planet Ranch Agree-
ment; and 
(C) all past, present, and future claims 
arising out of, or relating in any manner to, the 
negotiation or execution of the Big Sandy 
River-Planet Ranch Agreement. 
(2) EFFECTIVE
DATE.—The waivers and re-
leases 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— 
(A) to assert any claim for breach of, or to 
seek enforcement of, the Big Sandy River-Plan-
et 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 Agree-
ment 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 para-
graph (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 Freeport 
Groundwater Wells in a manner not in violation 
of the Big Sandy River-Planet Ranch Agree-
ment or the Hualapai Tribe Agreement. 
(2) EFFECTIVE
DATE.—The waivers and re-
leases 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 paragraph (1), including the 
right— 
(A) to assert any claim for breach of, or to 
seek enforcement of, the Big Sandy River-Plan-
et 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 Agree-
ment 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 para-
graph (3), the United States, acting as trustee for 
the allottees, is authorized to execute a waiver and 
release of all claims against the Corporation 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 
(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 Freeport 
Groundwater Wells in a manner not in violation
of the Big Sandy River-Planet Ranch Agree-
ment. 
(2) EFFECTIVE
DATE.—The waivers and re-
leases 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 re-
tain all rights not expressly waived under paragraph 
(1), including the right— 
(A) to assert any claim for breach of, or to 
seek enforcement of, the Big Sandy River-Plan-
et 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 Agree-
ment or this Act. 
(d) CLAIMS
BY TRIBE
AND UNITED STATES
AS 
TRUSTEE UNDER HUALAPAI TRIBE AGREEMENT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in para-
graph (3), the Tribe and the United States, acting 
as trustee for the Tribe, members of the Tribe, and
the allottees, as part of the performance of obliga-
tions under the Hualapai Tribe Agreement, are au-
thorized 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 Corporation from the Bill Williams 
River watershed arising prior to the enforce-
ability 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 
Agreement 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 execution of the Hualapai Tribe 
Agreement. 
(2) EFFECTIVE
DATE.—The waivers and re-
leases 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 re-
tain 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); 
(B) any claim for injury to, or to seek en-
forcement of, the rights of the Tribe under any 
applicable judgment or decree approving or in-
corporating 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 AGREEMENT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—In consideration for the ben-
efits to the Tribe, as set forth in the Big Sandy
(B) take effect on the enforceability date. 
(3) RETENTION OF RIGHTS.—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 enforcement of, the Big Sandy River-Plan-
et Ranch Agreement, the Hualapai Tribe 
Agreement, or this Act in any court of com-
petent 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 Agree-
ment, the Hualapai Tribe Agreement, or this 
Act. 
SEC. 7. ADMINISTRATION. 
(a) AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) DEFINITIONS.—Section 9401 of the Omni-
bus 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), re-
spectively; and 
(B) by inserting before paragraph (2) (as 
so redesignated) the following:
‘‘(1) BIG SANDY RIVER-PLANET RANCH AGREE-
MENT.—The term ‘Big Sandy River-Planet Ranch 
Agreement’ has the meaning given the term in sec-
tion 3 of the Bill Williams River Water Rights Set-
tlement 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 sub-
paragraph (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 fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(2) BILL WILLIAMS CIVIL ACTIONS.— 
‘‘(A) DESCRIPTION
OF
CIVIL
ACTION.— 
Due to the unique role of the Lower Colorado 
River Multi-Species Conservation 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 de-
scribed in subparagraph (B) relating only and 
directly to the interpretation or enforcement 
of— 
‘‘(i) the Bill Williams River Water 
Rights Settlement Act of 2014; or 
‘‘(ii) the Big Sandy River-Planet 
Ranch Agreement. 
‘‘(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 juris-
diction where a pending action has been 
brought to adjudicate the water rights as-
sociated with the Bill Williams River sys-
tem and source, in accordance with the au-
thority 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 insert-
ing the following: 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The district’’; 
(B) in paragraph (1) (as so designated), by 
striking ‘‘such actions’’ and inserting ‘‘civil ac-
tions described in subsection (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 ac-
tions 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 other-
wise 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 para-
graph designation and heading and all that follows 
through subparagraph (A) and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(2) APPLICABILITY.—This section— 
‘‘(A) applies only to— 
‘‘(i) the Lower Colorado River Multi- 
Species Conservation Program; 
‘‘(ii) the Bill Williams River Water 
Rights Settlement Act of 2014; and 
‘‘(iii) the Big Sandy River-Planet 
Ranch Agreement; 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, act-
ing 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 
(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 im-
munity from the civil action is waived, but only 
for the limited and sole purpose of the interpre-
tation or enforcement of this Act (or an amend-
ment 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 ad-
judicate the water rights associated with the 
Bill Williams River system and source, in ac-
cordance 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 ju-
risdiction 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.—Noth-
ing in this subsection 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 author-
ization of appropriations to carry out this Act, the 
expenditure or advance of any funds, and the per-
formance of any obligation by the Department in 
any capacity, pursuant to this Act shall be contin-
gent on the appropriation of funds for that expendi-
ture, 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 appro-
priations 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 management plan imple-
mented under the Conservation Program. 
(e) EFFECT.—Nothing in the Big Sandy River-Plan-
et 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 allot-
tee;
(2) except as provided in subsections (a) and 
(b), confers jurisdiction on any State court— 
(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 ac-
quire 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 environmental laws (including regu-
lations), 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 Secretary of the Big Sandy River-Planet Ranch Agree-
ment 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 regu-
lations 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 publishes 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 elimi-
nate the conflict; and 
(B) the Big Sandy River-Planet Ranch Agree-
ment 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 ap-
plications for the Lincoln 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 Commission have executed and filed with 
ADWR a conditional withdrawal 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 ap-
plications have been— 
(i) conditionally withdrawn; or 
(ii) resolved in a decision issued by ADWR 
that is final and nonappealable; 
(5) the Secretary has provided a notice to the 
parties to the Big Sandy River-Planet Ranch Agree-
ment and the Hualapai Tribe Agreement that the 
Department has completed the legally required envi-
ronmental 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 sec-
tion 6 have been executed by the Tribe and the Sec-
retary. 
(b) RATIFICATION
AND EXECUTION
OF AGREE-
MENTS.—Notwithstanding subsection (a), for purposes of 
sections 4, 5, and 8, the Secretary shall carry out the re-
quirements of this Act as promptly as practicable after 
the date of enactment of this Act. 
(c) 
FAILURE
OF
ENFORCEABILITY
DATE
TO 
OCCUR.—If the Secretary 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 reasonable 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 ex-
tended date agreed to by the Tribe, the Sec-
retary, 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. 
Passed the House of Representatives December 1, 
2014. 
Attest: 
Clerk.
113TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 4924 
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 Wil-
liams 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.