theadanews.com - Ada, Oklahoma

Local News

January 29, 2012

Tribes adopt seven-point plan for water

The Ada News

Ada —  

The Chickasaw and Choctaw Nations today announced a seven-point plan intended to clarify the Nations’ water resource management priorities in light of recent litigation over water rights in their southeastern Oklahoma homelands. These points, dubbed “The Essentials,” would ensure everyOklahoman’s water needs will be met while respecting the rights and responsibilities of the Nations with regard to the removal of water from their historic territories. 

“Like other Oklahomans, the Chickasaws and Choctaws want to preserve the state’s natural beauty and precious water resources for future generations,” said Chickasaw Gov. Bill Anoatubby.  “The seven-point plan we have developed outlines the key points — the essentials, if you will — that any water management plan must address in order to ensure the continued sustainability of our water supply and prosperity of our great state.” 

By publicly outlining their water management priorities, the Nations hope they can work together with state leaders to develop a water plan that meets the needs of urban and rural Oklahoma while maintaining the environmental health of the state’s rivers, streams and lakes. Faced with the possibility of prolonged litigation, leaders of both tribes have repeatedly expressed a preference to settle their differences with the state through negotiation. 

“The Nations have no desire to challenge existing permitted uses of water by any Oklahoman,” addedChoctaw Chief Gregory E. Pyle. “Rather, the lawsuit filed against state officials and Oklahoma City was designed to ensure our rights are taken into account in any future plan to remove additional water from our historic homelands.” 

The plan outlines the following water resource management essentials: 

• Urban — It is essential to meet the water needs of our urban centers — Oklahoma City and Tulsa — in order for all Oklahoma to prosper. 

• Towns and Rural — It is essential to meet the water needs of our growing towns and rural Oklahoma so their economic potential is realized. 

• Tourism — It is essential to meet the water needs for tourism, Oklahoma’s third largest industry. This 

means maintaining water levels high enough for water recreation uses.

• Agriculture — It is essential to meet the water needs of our state’s farmers and ranchers.

• Drought defense — It is essential our water plan puts Oklahomans first and prepares for the worst. 

Our current serious drought reinforces the importance of drought defense.

• Sustainability — It is essential we certify the sustainability of our water resources so the supply will

be there when we need it. The Chickasaw and Choctaw nations are committed to environmental stewardship of our water resources.

• Unity — It is essential that Oklahomans work together cooperatively to create a water plan for the entire state. “We call on state leaders to work with us to develop a sustainable water management plan for the greater good of all Oklahomans,” said Gov. Anoatubby. “We firmly believe state and tribal leaders can resolve our differences through negotiation instead of proceeding with the general stream adjudication process.

The Chickasaw and Choctaw Nations are currently working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 

to develop a regional water plan that meets the goals outlined in The Essentials. The tribes believe having a science-based plan is critical to sustainable management of water resources to support economic

development, recreation, household use and to provide for the environmental health of Oklahoma’s water

supply.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Local News
  • “Devastating” Tornado plows through Moore

    A powerful late-afternoon tornado leveled much of this Oklahoma community, which is located south of Oklahoma City. Reporters on helicopters flying above the scene described the scene as “devastating.”

    May 21, 2013 1 Photo

  • 'Bloody mess' found outside Pontotoc Technology Center

    Police were called to Pontotoc Technology Center about 6:50 a.m. Friday and what they found was a bloody mess.

     

    May 18, 2013

  • New law allows monitoring devices in nursing homes

    Oklahoma’s nursing home residents have a new tool to protect themselves against abuse or neglect.

     

    May 18, 2013

  • Hall of Fame Five inducted into Hall of Fame

    A protector of tribal archives, a generous philanthropist, a decorated military hero, an early tribal official and a progressive Chickasaw rancher and politician comprise the 2013 class of the Chickasaw Nation Hall of Fame.

    May 18, 2013 1 Photo

  • Car seat check-up, distribution event scheduled May 29 in Ada

    In an effort to reduce motor vehicle-related deaths and injury, the leading killer of children under 14, Safe Kids Oklahoma, East Central University’s Smart Start South Central program and the Pontotoc County Health Department are sponsoring a car seat checkup event on Wednesday, May 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Pontotoc County Health Department.

     

    May 18, 2013

  • Seizure of AP phone records insult to independent press

    Distrust of government secrecy has been elevated to an exceptional level with the disclosure the Justice Department covertly examined two months of Associated Press phone records to determine who leaked details to the AP about a foiled terrorist plot.

     

    May 18, 2013

  • Honored Chickasaw named American Indian Woman of the Year

    A Chickasaw woman and a Native American scientist received top honors from the Oklahoma Federation of Indian Women, recently.

     

    May 17, 2013 1 Photo

  • History in the Making Trinity celebrates 75 years of ministry

    Trinity Baptist Church was born May 1, 1938,  as a result of a three-week tent revival. The following month, five men secured a loan to purchase property and construct a sanctuary at 601 E. 10th Street.

     

    May 17, 2013 1 Photo

  • Jason Smeltz Firefighter dismissed after making threats toward police officer

    Local firefighter Jason Smeltz was officially dismissed from the Ada Fire Department Wednesday morning, according to Ada Fire Chief Marion Harris, following incidents in late April at a traffic stop involving Smeltz’s wife.

     

    May 17, 2013 1 Photo

  • Voilent Spring Storm Wreaks Havoc Wednesday Night

    Wednesday’s thunderstorm brought an inch of rain and some welcome moisture to Ada, but also some damage.

     

    May 17, 2013 1 Photo

AP Video
Raw: Widespread Destruction in Moore, Okla. Raw: Massive Funnel Clouds in Oklahoma Raw: Japan's WWII Atrocities Under Fire in Seoul Voters Could Elect LA's First Female Mayor Raw: Rescuers Pull Tornado Survivors to Safety Oklahoma Gov: 'Hearts Are Broken' After Tornado Raw: Walking in a Flattened Okla. Neighborhood Raw: Rescue Workers Search Oklahoma School Raw: Witness Describes Scene After Okla. Tornado Raw: Aftermath of Massive Tornado in Oklahoma Raw: House Burns After Massive Oklahoma Tornado Raw: Tornado on the Ground in Oklahoma Split-second Choice Ended With NY Student Dead White House Backs 'Shield Law' for Media Wave of Attacks Kills Scores in Iraq Pug Life on Display at Wisconsin Festival Company Promises to Make All Snail Mail Digital Analyst: Tumblr Fills Void in Yahoo's Offerings
Stocks
Poll

Do you think the state budget should include raises for state employees?

Yes
No
Undecided
     View Results