INDIAN WATER RESOURCES Southwest Region

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INDIAN WATER RESOURCESSouthwest Region

• FY 2010 National Budget Meeting
• March 13, 2008

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TBAC Representatives

• Lt. Governor Dancy Simplicio - Pueblo of Zuni
• Joe Garcia, President NCAI
• Carlos Hisa, Lt. Governor - Ysleta del Sur
  Pueblo (Alternate)

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A Court Decree defines water asset and allows for

• Protection, Preservation Use

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4 Building Blocks for Court Decrees

• US Litigation Stand
• Informed Tribal Participation
• Documented Tribal Homeland Vision
• Active Tribal Negotiation

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Building Block 1 US Litigation Stand
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Status of Litigation for 25 Tribes
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Building Block 2 Informed Tribal Participation

• Tribal Monitoring of adjudication
• Intervene on own behalf enables Tribes to
  Actively Participate in Court Proceeding
• Ensure US Claims are aligned with tribal goals

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Building Block 3 Development ofa Homeland
Vision

• Litigation Leverage claims for future use are
  strengthened
• Comprehensive Multi-Year Community Based Water
  Plan - Settlement talks address identified water
  requirements of the Tribe

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Building Block 4 Tribal Participation in
Negotiations ()

• Option to litigating claims
• Cost and time commitment comparable to litigation
• Affords tribes more control over outcome
• DOI preference when possible

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Results of Court Decreed Water Rights

• Water can be managed.protected, preserved, used
• Water can be protected for future generations

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Risks of No Decree

• Non-Tribal parties implement unchallenged long
  range plans
• No mechanism to defend against increasing
  encroachment on tribal water rights

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