10 States Back California Agencies In Fight With Tribe Over Groundwater

"Ten states from Nevada to Texas have weighed in to support two water agencies in their fight with an Indian tribe over control of groundwater in the California desert.

The states filed a brief Monday before the U.S. Supreme Court, which will soon decide whether to take up an appeal by the Desert Water Agency and the Coachella Valley Water District.

The water agencies are challenging a decision by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, which ruled the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians has a federally established right to groundwater dating to the creation of its reservation in the 1870s."

Ian James reports for the Palm Springs Desert Sun August 8, 2017.

Source: Palm Springs Desert Sun, 08/10/2017