Public Law 74–745

That the Secretary

Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District.

Agreement with, for maintenance on newly reclaimed Pueblo Indian lands, N. Mex., authorized.

of the Interior he, and he is hereby, authorized to enter into an agreement with Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District, a political subdivision of the State of New Mexico, to provide for operation and maintenance on newly reclaimed Pueblo Indian lands, not exceeding twelve thousand six hundred acres thereof now owned by said Indians, in the Rio Grande Valley, New Mexico, provided said lands have been benefited by improvements constructed under the Act of Congress dated March 13, 1928 (45 Stat. L., 312–313)

Vol. 45, p. 312.

and as therein provided, and as provided for by the provisions of the contract executed by and with the Secretary of the Interior and the said district; and there is hereby authorized to be appropriated

Appropriations authorized.

annually for a period of not to exceed five years, such amount as may be necessary to enable the Secretary of the Interior to pay the cost to Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District of such operation and maintenance on said newly reclaimed Pueblo Indian lands as may be irrigable during any particular year, provided the per acre

Assessment of costs.

cost assessable against the acreage of newly reclaimed Indian lands shall not exceed the per acre cost of operating and maintaining the district works for the irrigation of the total irrigable area within the district, including the now irrigated and newly reclaimed Indian lands: Provided, That any sums appropriated pursuant hereto shall

Provisos.

Repayment.

Equitable distribution requirements.

be reimbursable to the United States: Provided further, That the district shall be required by the agreement herein authorized to be executed, to deliver water without discrimination on that part of the newly reclaimed Pueblo lands on which the per acre charge or assessment has been paid: And provided further, That the provisions

Recognition of prior water rights of irrigated lands.

of the contract heretofore executed pursuant to the Act of March 13, 1928, requiring the district to recognize the prior and paramount water rights for the approximately eight thousand three hundred and forty-six acres of now irrigated Indian lands and of their exemption from payment of any operation and maintenance or betterment cost, shall be carried into and made a part of the agreement to be executed pursuant hereto.