Lisa Murkowski actually said...

there is also, I would imagine, a matter of equity, a matter of fairness that requires a settlement process

Indian water rights are vested property rights and resources for which the United States has a trust responsibility.

It has been said, and it is certainly important to repeat, that Indian water rights are vested property rights.

This amendment is needed to fulfill the promise of the Settlement Act for the tribes, which is to be able to make use of their water rights ...