
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Laws in effect as of January 2, 2001]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 2, 2001 and January 28, 2002]
[CITE: 16USC460uu-49]

 
                         TITLE 16--CONSERVATION
 
   CHAPTER 1--NATIONAL PARKS, MILITARY PARKS, MONUMENTS, AND SEASHORES
 
   SUBCHAPTER CVI--EL MALPAIS NATIONAL MONUMENT AND CONSERVATION AREA
 
                       Part E--General Provisions
 
Sec. 460uu-49. Water rights


(a) Reservation to United States of minimum amount of water required

    Congress expressly reserves to the United States the minimum amount 
of water required to carry out the purposes for which the national 
monument, the conservation area, and the wilderness areas are designated 
under this subchapter. The priority date of such reserved rights shall 
be December 31, 1987.

(b) Effect on existing valid or vested water rights

    Nothing in this section shall affect any existing valid or vested 
water right, or applications for water rights which are pending as of 
December 31, 1987, and which are subsequently granted: Provided, That 
nothing in this subsection shall be construed to require the National 
Park Service to allow the drilling of ground water wells within the 
boundaries of the national monument.

(c) Construction of section as precedent with regard to future 
        designations

    Nothing in this section shall be construed as establishing a 
precedent with regard to any future designations, nor shall it affect 
the interpretation of any other Act or any designation made pursuant 
thereto.

(Pub. L. 100-225, title V, Sec. 509, Dec. 31, 1987, 101 Stat. 1549.)
