CARSON CITY, NV – December 22, 2021
This month, Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak and State Engineer Adam Sullivan met with representatives from the Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Reservation (CTGR) Business Council, including Chairman Rupert Steele and subject matter experts, to formally initiate the process of addressing unquantified water rights reserved for the Tribes by the Federal Government.
Together, the State of Nevada, State of Utah, and CTRG are seeking to establish a Federal Water Team focused on the Goshute Reservation that would analyze all existing water rights claims, resource availability, and future needs in the process of reaching a mutually agreeable water rights settlement. This federal Water Team would include the State of Nevada, the State of Utah and the CTGR.
“This has the opportunity to benefit all parties through a successful settlement process and have a positive impact for generations to come,” Governor Sisolak said. ”The resolution of federally reserved water for Tribal Nations like so many areas where we are reliant on the federal government for management has lacked the attention and resources necessary for success, but I am optimistic that the new leadership in the Department of the Interior will address this with the urgency it warrants.”
“Since time immemorial, we, the Goshutes have lived on this land. In 1863, we had a Treaty of Peace and Friendship, where the United States government acknowledged that we were hunters, chiefs, principle men, and warriors,” Chairman Ruppert said. “Upon creation of our Indian Reservation, the United States government ensured that there were enough resources set aside and protected to fulfill the purposes of the Reservation, which includes water. One of the most important responsibilities for the Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Reservation Business Council is to preserve and protect enough water for the present and future needs of the Goshute people.”
“The kickoff meeting with Chairman Steele and the Business Council was an important step forward to thoughtfully and holistically address federally reserved water rights for the Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Reservation,” Sullivan said. “We look forward to working together with all sovereign partners on this settlement effort, while providing support, resources, and technical guidance every step of the way throughout the process.”
The CTGR straddles the Utah/Nevada border, and is located about 170 miles southeast of Elko, Nevada. It covers approximately 112,870 acres in White Pine County, Nevada as well as Juab and Tooele counties in Utah. There are over 600 enrolled CTGR Tribal members, many of whom are residents of both Utah and Nevada.
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