Opinion
Water sale lawsuit gamble pits Oklahoma and Texas
The thought of sending southeastern Oklahoma water to housing and commercial developments in North Texas for free doesn't sit well for most state residents. Oklahoma lawmakers agreed and put a moratorium on the sale of state water to out of state interests until a long-range study is completed.
The general manager of the Tarrant Regional Water District in Fort Worth says the state is playing a game of high-stakes water poker. James M. Oliver says if the Texans win a lawsuit against the state, the water could flow for free.
The lawsuit is expected to be heard in U.S. District Court in Oklahoma City in December. Before it goes to trial, the water district says it will pay between $15 million and $60 million per year to transport water in southern and southeastern Oklahoma to fast-growing North Texas communities.
If Tarrant County wins the lawsuit, it would have access to free water but would have to pay for pipelines and pumping stations, Mr. Oliver told the Associated Press.
Oklahoma House speaker Chris Benge says legislation passed this past session should strengthen the state's position. It attempts to eliminate the appearances of bias against out-of-state water applicants.
The state shouldn't be selling water until it knows what the long-term needs of Oklahomans will be.
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