By AP
Oklahoma City, OK – Okla. legislative water study panel to begin work
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) A legislative panel tasked with planning Oklahoma's water policy for the next 50 years is holding its inaugural meeting.
The 16-member committee will meet Wednesday in the House chamber. The panel is expected to focus on existing water law, interstate compacts and the role of Native American tribes and treaties.
A North Texas water district has unsuccessfully tried to gain access to billions of gallons of southeastern Oklahoma water from three tributaries in far southern Oklahoma and sued the state in an attempt to force the sale of water.
Lawmakers have delayed any action on a proposed sale of water to Texas or water-related legislation for several years pending the release of a water plan being developed by the Oklahoma Water Resources Board that is due out in October.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.