Historic Gila River water pact impacts economy, tribe culture
Water rights
Rodney Lewis, former lt. governor for the Gila River Indian community and former legal counsel (left) pictured with his son, Stephen Roe Lewis (right), current Lt. governor and legal counsel for Gila River pictured in front of a portion of the community’s re-created Gila River. Earlier this month, SRP and the Gila River community announced the completion of a water rights settlement agreement that will give the Indian community stewardship of millions of gallons of water, helping to restore the Indian community’s culture and bring economic development to the region. (Tribune photo, Mike Sakal)
Water
A smaller canal known as a lateral runs off of Old State Route 87 in the Gila River Indian community near Sacaton. (Mike Sakal/Tribune)
Water rights
Jason Hauter, legal counsel for the Gila River Indian community looks out over desert land alonf Old Route 87 (the Hunt Highway) between Alma School and Dobson roads near the Olberg Bridge where the Gila River, once the lifeline of the Indian community used to flow near Sacaton. A recent water rights settlement announced by SRP and the Gila River Indian community is expected to help bring economic development to the region as well as restore many of the Indian community’s riparian areas and wetlands and hopefully, spur the return of the Gila River. (Tribune photo, Mike Sakal)
Water rights
Can a river run through it again?: Vast desert land now stretches through part of the Gila River Indian community where its lifeline used to run — the Gila River. Here, the view is looking west from the Olberg Bridge along Old State Route 87 between Alma School and Dobson roads near Sacaton. A unique water rights settlment agreement between SRP and the Gila River community that was announced earlier this month gives Gila River stewardship over millions of gallons of water that are expected to help bring economic development to the region and restore many of the Indian community’s riparian and wetlands areas. The water will be both provided in surface and ground water, thousands of gallons which will be stored in underground storage projects. (Tribune photo, Mike Sakal)
Welcome to the discussion.
-
Current users sign in here.
3 comments:
Rules of Conduct
Happening Now...
-
Sunday 5/19/2013
-
Saturday 5/18/2013
-
Friday 5/17/2013
The EVTI
East Valley Tribune Index of 20 local public companies
© Copyright 2013, East Valley Tribune, Tempe, AZ. [Terms of Use | Privacy Policy]
A Division of 10/13 Communications
downtownresident posted at 8:56 am on Sun, Nov 11, 2012.
Let's hope this does more to help the community than the casinos have done.
soricobob posted at 6:33 am on Mon, Nov 12, 2012.
I agree with downtownresident, the tribe which brought us Ira Hayes has not changed much over the years, and if you happen past the res you'd be appalled that the casinos are connected with them in any way.
nativeaz posted at 7:53 am on Mon, Nov 12, 2012.
The Gila River Indian Community has come a long way with gaming as one of its many economic developments. Gaming has enabled the tribe to build new educational facilities, fund the war against diabetes for its people, and put hundreds of its residents to work.
The historical loss of its waterways has been detrimental. They have not been able to fully sustain their traditional lifeway for decades with regard to agriculture. Our US government is only now beginning to make right what was taken with little regard to a people who had learned to live in the desert for thousands of years.
Now they have a bright future for generations to come. And the kicker is that they are willing to share their water with surrounding communities - at a fair cost.