Legislators reiterated their commitment to including tribal leaders in discussions about the state's water supply and their plans to export and sell it. The Oklahoma Water Resources Board is currently reviewing a five-year, multi-million plan that would guide the state's use of its water for the foreseeable future, according to the AP.
The news agency reports the legislative water committee does not include any tribal leaders, but lawmakers note that members of the state's 39 recognized tribes have been invited to each of the committee's meetings to provide input.
"We dedicated our very first meeting to studying tribal rights and treaties in the state of Oklahoma as a clear signal that we're very interested in working with everyone and being inclusive in making sure we take everyone's rights and positions into consideration," Kris Steele, the committee's chairman, told the AP. "My hope is that we'll work together and negotiate a plan that is a win-win situation for everyone involved."
According to the AP, the Chickasaw and Choctaw nations filed a lawsuit last month in federal court against the water resources board. Their attorney told the news agency that the tribes' leaders feel frustrated with the lack of progress in their negotiations with the board and state legislature.
