Delivering a message of tribal sovereignty and unity, CRIT Chairwoman Amelia Flores gave opening remarks for a special meeting of the 30 Basin Tribes to discuss Colorado River water policy, allocation, and consultation with native communities. The meeting was held September 13th at Chairwoman Flores’ request.
In addition to Chairwoman Flores, CRIT Vice Chairman Dwight Lomayesva, Tribal Council members Anisa Patch and Bobby Page also attended the conference held Courtyard Scottsdale Marriott owned by the Salt River Pima Indian Community.
The focus of the meeting was to discuss post-2026 Colorado River Guidelines, which could have a profound impact on CRIT’s water rights, as well as multiple indigenous communities and reservations when it comes to Colorado River water allocations. CRIT has vowed to make sure it has a seat at the table to ensure its rights are protected.
Chairwoman Flores stated in opening remarks that the rights of all tribes must be protected, “The stakes for all of us are too high as to how the post 2026 (Colorado River Guidelines) impacts our water rights so we need to keep in constant communication with our trustee.”
Flores called upon the tribes to work together, “All the tribal nations are unique, but we are bound by one great river, the Colorado River.”
In addition to tribal leaders, United States Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Touton was also in attendance. Touton said she and federal officials were there to listen, “I can see every single leader here and I know the issues we are working through together as sovereign nations.”
Topics discussed included:
• Status of discussions with the Basin States – Reclamation.
• Alternatives development – will Reclamation protect tribal water rights?
• Schedule of release of documents – what can we expect to see and when?
• Is the consultation process working? How can it be improved?
• Future/follow-up meetings between Tribal Nations and Reclamation.
