Tribes drop claim to existing permits in Oklahoma water rights case

The tribes are suing Oklahoma City and the state over water rights to the Kiamichi, Clear Boggy and Muddy Boggy basins and the Atoka Pipeline, but until Thursday had not explicitly excluded claims to existing permits in one portion of the suit.

The tribes had argued their first version of the suit, filed in August in U.S. District Court in Oklahoma City, which already didn't lay claim to existing permits. But Oklahoma City and other defendants contended the tribes were challenging current permits unless they excluded them in the “prayer,” which is the part of the lawsuit where the plaintiffs ask the judge for specific action.

The amended suit excludes claims to existing permits in the prayer, which Oklahoma City Manager Jim Couch called a significant development.

“Although this still leaves some unresolved issues, we view that as a step in the right direction,” Couch said.