News Release
02/10/2012
Attorney General Pruitt Files Lawsuit in Oklahoma Supreme Court to Determine Oklahomans’ Water Rights
OKLAHOMA CITY – On behalf of the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt today asked the Oklahoma Supreme Court to begin the process of stream adjudication to determine water rights in three major stream systems in southeastern Oklahoma.
“It’s our obligation to protect the rights of the state and all of its citizens. Unfortunately, tribal leaders chose to initiate litigation, calling Oklahomans’ water rights into question. So today, we filed an application with the Oklahoma Supreme Court to begin the process of adjudication, which will confirm those water rights,” Pruitt said. “Mediation continues to be a viable option in this case, and we remain hopeful an agreement can be reached.”
In addition, the Attorney General’s Office – on behalf of the Oklahoma Water Resources Board and Governor Mary Fallin, who are defendants in the federal court case filed by the nations – filed motions to dismiss the federal court case based on the federal court’s lack of jurisdiction and other legal grounds.
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OWRB -Appl to Assume Original Jurisdiction.pdf
OWRB - Brief in Support.pdf
AG Pruitt Water Lawsuit Letter.pdf