Chickasaws, Choctaws will not drop lawsuit against state of Oklahoma

The tribes sent a letter to Gov. Mary Fallin on Tuesday, explaining their reasons for the continued litigation and stressing the fact they want to work through the mediation process.

“History shows the best way to achieve resolution is through talks where both parties come to the table, prepared and empowered, to have good faith negotiations,” the letter states. “There was a lack of negotiations or meaningful engagement until we filed our suit, and if we dismissed, our current court-ordered mediations would cease.”

The letter, signed by Chief Greg Pyle, of the Choctaw Nation, and Gov. Bill Anoatubby, of the Chickasaw Nation, also states that stream adjudication isn't a necessary response to the lawsuit filed by the tribes — something Fallin claimed to be true in a letter she sent to the tribes last week.

An amended petition filed by the tribes in November was meant to “reassure all Oklahomans” the lawsuit wasn't intended to infringe on individuals' water rights.

“Our filing does not disrupt existing uses of water made pursuant to valid state permits,” the tribes' letter states. “This should leave no doubt that the filing of a stream adjudication is not a necessity, but a choice of the state.”