Casino Stalker | Legislation | Opinion

Opinion: Bill to bar Tohono O'odham casino breaks promises

Friday, December 9, 2011

"If U.S. Congressman Trent Franks’ H.R. 2938 (Gila Bend Indian Reservation Lands Replacement Clarification Act) passes, Arizonans’ water bills may increase again. But his bill isn’t actually about water at all. The bill was submitted to prevent construction of a casino on a strip of land between Peoria and Glendale. The 25-year-old government treaty with the Tohono O’odham Nation allows the tribe to acquire land to replace the part of its reservation that was flooded due to construction of the Painted Rock Dam on the Gila River. In the deal, the tribe also surrendered its rights to 32,000 acre-feet of water each year.

What would happen if Congress breaks part of the treaty and takes away the tribe’s ability to build a casino? The Tohono O’odhams would have every right to reclaim their water rights. According to an estimate from a member of the Glendale City Council, Central Arizona Project (CAP) water costs Glendale approximately $108 per acre-foot. If the city had to buy back the 32,000 acre-feet of water, it would cost an additional $3.5 million annually at the current price, which is sure to rise in future years. And if Arizonans don’t want to buy the water, California would be more than happy to purchase that water, which we currently use."

Get the Story:
Ken Jones: Bill to block casino could increase water rates (The Arizona Capitol Times 12/9)

Also Today:
Tribal plan for casino near Glendale finds support in Peoria (The Arizona Republic 12/9)