The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments in two Indian law cases this month.

On January 14, the justices will consider South Florida Water Mgmt. v. Miccosukee Tribe, No. 02-626. The Miccosukee Tribe is trying to protect its homelands in the Florida Everglades from pollution but state waters managers say they don't have to comply with the federal Clean Water Act. The Bush administration is siding with the state.

On January 21, the court will hear U.S. v. Lara, No. 03-107. The Bush administration and dozens of tribes want the high court to affirm inherent tribal authority over all Indians, including those are members of other tribes. There is a conflict among the lower courts that the justices will be resolving.

The Tribal Supreme Court Project, a joint initiative of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) and the Native American Rights Fund (NARF), submitted amicus briefs in both cases.

Relevant Links:
Tribal Supreme Court Project - http://doc.narf.org/sc/index.html

More on the Miccosukee case:
Bush brief backs Fla. agency over Miccosukee Tribe (09/11)

More on the Lara case:
States back tribal sovereignty in Supreme Court case (11/26)