Southeast Oklahoma Water Resources Development Plan

As directed by HCR 1109, passed in May 2000, the OWRB, Choctaw Nation and Chickasaw Nation completed a preliminary evaluation of feasible plans for the potential development of available surface waters in southeast Oklahoma (i.e., the Southeast Oklahoma Water Resources Development Plan).

The Joint State/Tribal Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process, the first relevant task addressed under HCR 1109, assisted in determining the ability of prospective interested parties to finance and participate in various southeast development plans. Revenue generated through the final selected proposal(s) was slated to provide for repayment of construction costs for Sardis Reservoir to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, assist in establishment of a regional water supply system in the Sardis area, and fulfill various other economic development objectives in southeast Oklahoma, including the Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations. However, Oklahoma's negotiations with the North Texas Water Agency, who submitted a Request For Qualifications and demonstrated much interest in southeast Oklahoma's water resources to supply rapid growth in the region, were terminated by Governor Keating early in 2002.

An integral part of the Southeast Oklahoma Water Resources Development Plan was establishment of a State/Tribal Water Compact that unites existing state water law with century-old Native American water rights claims and initiates development of a uniform water rights and water quality standards administration system in southeast Oklahoma. The draft Compact, completed in November 2001, would also provide the basis through which the Choctaw/Chickasaw Nations and State of Oklahoma could work together to achieve much-needed economic development in southeast Oklahoma.