The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling rejecting the state of Texas’ claim to Oklahoma water is a huge win for Oklahoma citizens, said Mike Spradling, president of the Oklahoma Farm Bureau. The farm group has long supported the idea of putting the state’s water needs ahead of out of state interests.
“We’ve always believed Oklahoma has the sovereign power to the state’s water resources,” Spradling said.
The Supreme Court ruled that the Red River Compact, which includes Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana, does not automatically give Texas rights to water in another state.
“Water is a valuable resource for our farmers and ranchers,” Spradling said. “This ruling protects our rights to the water and reinforces the mission of using Oklahoma water for Oklahoma citizens.”
