Two Native American tribes, Choctaws and Chickasaws, are currently fighting for water rights to Sardis Lake in Pushmataha County and Latimer County. With clean water becoming more scarce, water rights are becoming the subject of much debate.
The two tribes, that were exiled to the area 175 years ago, claim that they should be recognized as joint owners. “Using the debt owed by the state to the federal government as an excuse to make a deal that ignores the two tribes’ historic water rights and the environmental and economic interests of all of Southeastern Oklahoma just doesn’t make sense,” said Chief Gregory E. Pyle of the Choctaw Nation. He went on to say “Further, it is essential before any decisions are made that the Choctaw and Chickasaw tribes, which have historical rights to the water, and representatives of the Southeastern Oklahoma community are a part of any such discussions relating to the future of Sardis Lake.”
Despite the opposition from the tribes, Oklahoma agreed to sell storage rights to 90% of the lake for $42 million. In February the tribes sent a cease-and-desist letter to state leaders. The tribe’s attorney, Michael Burrage, wrote that continued action on the lake deal risked triggering “complex federal law litigation.”
The Oklahoma City Water Utilities Trust and the Oklahoma Water Resources Board have signed the lake contract. However, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has not yet approved the plan and will have final say. The city has also already paid off the lake’s debt of $27 million and has started designing a pipeline to take the lake’s water to central Oklahoma.
The tribes both believe that caring for our natural resources and sustainability are very important. They have launched campaigns to make people aware of the water rights issues. One way they are doing this is with videos like theses.
“We are evaluating all options, but the tribes are continuing to ask that the water transfer process wait for the appropriate studies to be completed, reviewed by experts and shared with all of Oklahoma’s citizens. Our water is precious and worth fighting for.” said Chief Pyle.
About the Author
Lisa Sharp is passionate about green living, organic food, animals, and natural medicine. She is an environmental activist, green living expert, and consultant. In addition to being the founder and editor of Green Oklahoma, Lisa has a green living blog, Retro Housewife Goes Green. You can follow Lisa on twitter @Retrohousewife5 and Facebook.
Photo credit: FreeWine
[...] very true. In Oklahoma, the Choctaw and Chickasaw tribes are fighting the state of Oklahoma over water on tribal land. Oklahoma agreed to sell storage rights to 90% of the lake but since the lake is on tribal lands [...]