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 / Modified feb 15, 2019 3:22 p.m.

Arizona Lawmaker Accused of Endangering Colorado River Drought Plan

A Gila River Indian Community leader says proposed legislation threatens the tribe's water rights.
by Associated Press

Colorado River A view of the northern end of Lake Powell, near Hite, Utah.
Vanessa Barchfield/AZPM

PHOENIX — A top Arizona Democrat is accusing the Republican House speaker of risking the collapse of a drought plan for the Colorado River by pushing legislation that has angered the Gila River Indian Community, a key player in the negotiations.

House Democratic leader Charlene Fernandez said Friday that Speaker Rusty Bowers is on the verge of tanking the plan and destroying the agricultural economy of central Arizona.

Gila River Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis says a bill that Bowers introduced threatens water rights the tribe gained through a landmark settlement in 2004 after a decades-long battle. Lewis says the tribe can't sign on to the drought plan unless it gets a "reliable indication" the bill won't move forward.

Arizona faces a March 4 deadline to get agreements from all parties, including the Gila River community.

Bowers declined to comment.

MORE: Colorado River, Environment, Government, Indigenous Affairs, News, Water
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