Water leases at heart of recall vote within Arizona tribe

PARKER, Ariz. (AP) — Members of the Colorado River Indian Tribes are considering whether to recall their chairman and council members.

Water is the source of the strife.

The Arizona Daily Star reports that recall organizers want to put a stop to any discussion to lease the tribe’s Colorado River water to non-Indian users across the state. They say it’s inconsistent with the tribe’s tradition of protecting water.

The newspaper reported last year that tribal officials secretly had been discussing water leasing with state and federal officials, and water utilities.

Tribal Chairman Dennis Patch says the tribe must consider the long-term economic benefits from leasing water.

The tribe has one of the largest allocations of Colorado River water anywhere and among the most secure.

The recall election is scheduled Saturday.

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Information from: Arizona Daily Star, http://www.tucson.com

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Information from: Arizona Daily Star, http://www.tucson.com