Jeff Bingaman United States Senator from New Mexico

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today said he was pleased that a bill to end a two-decade-old dispute between the Jicarilla Apache Nation and Rio Arriba County has passed the Senate and is now on its way to the president for signature.

The Jicarilla-Rio Arriba agreement, which was introduced by Representative Tom Udall in the House, settles a dispute over the ownership of a road on a parcel of land formerly referred to as Theis Ranch. Under the agreement the Jicarilla Nation will transfer approximately 70.5 acres of land, located within the Jicarilla reservation, to Rio Arriba County. In exchange for the Jicarilla Nation’s land conveyance, Rio Arriba County will permanently abandon any and all claims to the disputed road.

“Congressional approval of this resolution has been long overdue. I am pleased the Jicarilla Apache Nation and Rio Arriba County worked together to settle this dispute amicably,” Bingaman said. “I also commend Representative Udall for making this issue a priority and for his work to make it a reality.”

“I’m glad New Mexico’s Senators moved this legislation through the Senate so quickly. I hope the president will quickly sign this legislation and finalize the agreement. I applaud the Jicarilla Nation and Rio Arriba County for working so hard to put together a mutually beneficial settlement that could win such strong bipartisan support from this Congress,” Udall said.

In September of 1988, Theis Ranch became part of the Jicarilla Nation Reservation under a land transfer. Since that time, the Jicarilla Nation and the County of Rio Arriba have been disputing over the ownership of the road.

The legislation that cleared the Senate today reflects an agreement reached by both parties and approved by the U.S. Department of Interior.