In a recent, independent study of water quality on reserves, it was determined that 39% of First Nations drinking water systems are at a “high” risk, while another 34% were deemed to be a “moderate” risk. The report also concluded that 6 billion dollars would be needed to adequately address the issue.
Here’s the original story.
Tom Schlosse’rs new article was published by the Washington Journal of Environmental Law & Policy: “Dewatering Trust Responsibility: The New Klamath River Hydroelectric and Restoration Agreements.” You can download it here.
Here is the abstract:
In order to protect Indian property rights to water and fish that Indians rely on for subsistence and moderate income, the Interior Department Solicitor has construed federal statutes and case law to conclude that the Department must restrict irrigation in the Klamath River Basin of Oregon and Northern California. Draft legislation, prescribed by the February 18, 2010 Klamath River Hydroelectric Agreement and the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement, would release the United States from its trust duty to protect the rights of Indian tribes in the Klamath River Basin. The agreements will also prolong the Clean Water Act Section 401 application process to prevent the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission from issuing a properly-conditioned license for dams in the Klamath River that will protect the passage of vital fish populations. This article argues that the agreements prioritize the water rights of non-Indian irrigation districts and utility customers over first-in-time Indian water and fishing rights.
Turtle Talk 