Politics

Top Democrat backs Shoshone-Paiute water bill

Friday, April 27, 2007

INDIANZ.COM LISTENING LOUNGE
Opening Statement [Sen. Dorgan]

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) testified in support of S.462, a bill to settle the water rights of the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of Nevada.

Reid said the bill would resolve a long-running dispute. He said the federal government failed to protect the water rights of the tribe.

Pat Ragsdale, the director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, raised some concerns about the settlement. He refused to say whether the government should be held liable for alleged mismanagement of the water.

Kyle Prior, the chairman of the tribe, said the settlement would help tribal members realize the true value of the reservation. He said the tribe gave up a lot at the negotiating table.

Reid is the first Senate Majority Leader to testify before the committee, Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-North Dakota), the committee chairman said.

Get the Story:
Reid's bill could resolve water rights dispute (Gannett News Service 4/27)

Committee Testimony/Video:
HEARING on S. 462, Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of Duck Valley Water Rights Settlement Act (April 26, 2007)

Get the Bill:
Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of Duck Valley Water Rights Settlement Act (S.462)

Relevant Links:
Duck Valley Shoshone - Paiute Tribes - http://www.shopaitribes.org
Senate Indian Affairs Committee - http://indian.senate.gov