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Monday, September 22, 2003

Arizona's tribes are likely to determine how the state's water is distributed among Indians and non-Indians.

Writing in The Arizona Republic, Jack L. August Jr. says tribes are turning to litigation to resolve their rights. The state's largest, the Navajo Nation, is seeking an undetermined amount of the Colorado River, and other tribes like the Hopi are staking claims as well.

But even though tribes have a favorable legal position, August says, settlement is the way to go to avoid "costly litigation" that will likely benefit no one. Passage of the Gila River Indian Settlement, a very lengthy agreement among several tribes and water users, in Congress will impact almost everyone in the state.

Arizona's 21 reservations make up 28 percent of the state's land base.

Get the Story:
Hopis seek their Water Rights (The Arizona Republic 9/21)

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