[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 191 (Thursday, October 1, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Page 61966]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-21748]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Office of the Secretary

[201D0102DM/DS6CS00000/DLSN00000.000000/DX6CS25]


Statement of Findings: Pechanga Band of Luise[ntilde]o Mission 
Indians Water Rights Settlement Act

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of statement of findings.

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SUMMARY: The publication by the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) 
of this notice causes the settlement agreement executed in accordance 
with Section 3402 of the Pechanga Band of Luiseo Mission Indians Water 
Rights Settlement Act (Settlement Act) to become enforceable and causes 
waivers and releases of claims executed pursuant to Section 3407 of the 
Settlement Act to take effect.

DATES: This notice takes effect on October 1, 2020.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Address all comments and requests for 
additional information to Douglas Garcia, Chair, Pechanga Settlement 
Implementation Team, Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian 
Affairs, Pacific Regional Office, 2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento, CA 
95685, (916) 978-6052, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Congress enacted the Settlement Act as Title 
III, Subtitle D of the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation 
Act, Public Law 114-322. The Settlement Act was enacted to resolve the 
water right claims of the Pechanga Band of Luise[ntilde]o Mission 
Indians (Pechanga Band) subject to an adjudication in the U.S. District 
Court (Adjudication Court) in United States v. Fallbrook Public Utility 
District, et al., Case No. 51-01247-GPC-RBB (S.D. Cal.). The Settlement 
Parties include the Pechanga Band, Rancho California Water District, 
and the United States. The Eastern Municipal Water District and 
Metropolitan Water District of Southern California are parties to 
various sub-agreements to the Pechanga Settlement Agreement (Settlement 
Agreement).
    The Settlement Act and Settlement Agreement quantify and define the 
Pechanga Band's rights to water, including surface and groundwater 
within the Santa Margarita River watershed, that will be satisfied with 
local groundwater, imported recycled water, and imported potable water. 
The Settlement Agreement and various sub-agreements include the 
arrangements and infrastructure necessary to make this water available 
to the Pechanga Band. The United States contributed funding for 
imported water and infrastructure development.

Statement of Findings

    In accordance with Section 3407(e) of the Settlement Act, I find as 
follows:
    (1) The Adjudication Court has issued a judgment and decree 
approving the conformed Settlement Agreement consistent with the 
Settlement Act;
    (2) All amounts authorized by the Settlement Act have been 
deposited into the Pechanga Settlement Fund;
    (3) The waivers and releases authorized in Section 3407(a) of the 
Settlement Act have been executed by the Pechanga Band and the 
Secretary;
    (4) The Extension of Service Area Agreement (ESAA) has been 
executed by the parties to that agreement and takes effect and is 
enforceable in accordance with its terms; and
    (5) The ESAA Water Delivery Agreement has been executed by the 
parties to that agreement and takes effect and is enforceable in 
accordance with its terms.

    Dated: September 22, 2020.
David L. Bernhardt,
Secretary of the Interior.
[FR Doc. 2020-21748 Filed 9-30-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4334-63-P