U.S. Supreme Court denies review of water rights case

By Jon Johnson, Staff Writer
Published on Wednesday, March 7, 2007 9:38 AM MST

The United States Supreme Court denied review of the case San Carlos Apache Tribe v. Arizona in February.

The tribe had sought to overturn an Arizona Supreme Court decision that limits the amount of water the tribe can claim from the Gila River to 6,000 acre feet per year. The court decision also states the tribe can properly assert water rights claims only to Gila River tributaries on the reservation.

Safford City Attorney Garn Emery said this was one small step in a long line of litigation that has been going on for many years.

Emery said the attempt by tribal attorney Joe Sparks to have the U.S. Supreme Court review the case was really a ploy to get leverage in a separate court case in which the tribe is attempting to join a water agreement that has been signed by the city of Safford and other parties.

“This is a small step in the litigation process that clearly defines the tribe’s rights as originally decreed and puts perspective back on their water rights,” Emery said.

According to the water agreement, Safford is allowed to claim 9,740 AFY from the Gila River.

That includes all water taken from Bonita Creek, Gila River wells and Mt. Graham.

Emery feels it is of the highest importance that negotiations are positive.

“Everyone needs to come to an agreement, or we will be litigating this for the next 200-300 years,” he said.

Calls to the tribe’s attorney Joe Sparks were not returned by press time.

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Comments

10 comment(s)

Ian Mccartney wrote on Sep 17, 2008 4:20 PM:

" I went to this camp in the summer of 05 when they were located in concho. I highly doubt that vallentine is telling the truth because when i went they was plenty of food. I remeber that they made us but on spf 50 sunscreen by the gallons. They provided us with gallons of water a day. I think that denton should have stayed in concho because it was a lot better. Big deal the recruits have no ac or water. what to expect bootcamp to be a vaction? And by the way the dirt isnt going to kill you "

H. Craig Bradley wrote on Apr 18, 2008 5:29 PM:

" The percentage of Americans who recreate in the wild outdoors of our National Forests is shrinking all the time. Today's America is predominately an urban/suburban America. Increasingly, individuals can not part with their IPods, Cell Phones, Laptop Computers and Navigational Aides (GPS). Roughing it outdoors is an experience that fewer and fewer individuals are getting "

Anonymous wrote on Apr 3, 2008 5:06 PM:

" Why not tell these people and organizations how you feel?

Vice Principal Kerry Wilson
Principal Robert Beeman
Superintendent Mark Tregaskes
Safford, Arizona Middle School

734 11Th Street
Safford, AZ 85546
Phone Number: (928) 348-7040

http://az.localschooldirectory.com/schools_info.php/school_id/3495 "

THS Alum 2004 wrote on Mar 20, 2008 4:21 PM:

" I graduated with these guys and it's sad to say that I'm really not that surprised. They're meat heads and are a "few fries short of a happy meal". The authorities did nothing wrong, these people made a dumb choice and will have to deal with the consequences.

P.S. Doug did it. "

blah wrote on Mar 6, 2008 8:29 AM:

" Whatever "

colton wrote on Jan 29, 2008 2:02 PM:

" i think doug grant is innocent an i think you should not charge him for murder "

saline wrote on Jan 29, 2008 2:01 PM:

" hello hello hello hello hello hello "

Michael Jackson wrote on Dec 11, 2007 3:02 PM:

" Why doesn't this newspaper admit that the story reported by Pam Crandall, as related by Jesse MacBeth, in the above article, is a flat out lie??? MacBeth has since admitted that he did not go to Iraq and that he made up all of the stories repeated by Pam Crandall. Please tell the truth. The longer that the Courier stands by these lies the sillier it looks. "

Jesu Christ! wrote on Oct 25, 2007 8:53 PM:

" And the authorities wonder why it is that students have so little respect for authority. If I were this kid (or the kid's mother) I would never look at authority the same way again. "

Daniel Connell wrote on Oct 23, 2007 9:35 AM:

" i am writting to say that this was a harmless prank and just a little fun for these two innocent teenagers. they should have not gotten in that much trouble for just a harmless prank. being a friend to them you wouldnt see it in my view. they were just looking to have fun in safford because there is nothing else to do and jose hernandez should have not been sent to ADJC on his first crime he ever commited. "

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