TULSA – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Tulsa District and the Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations recently entered into a cost shared study agreement for the first phase of the Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations Regional Water Plan.

– The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Tulsa District and the Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations recently entered into a cost shared study agreement for the first phase of the Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations Regional Water Plan.

This plan is a science-based regional water plan that will cover the water resources of the Nations’ treaty territory, an area that roughly covers the 22 counties of southeastern and southcentral Oklahoma. The plan will assess current and future regional water needs and develop strategies for the sustainable management of the region’s resources. The plan will also assess and address the condition and needs for water infrastructure throughout the region.

The total study cost is $180,000 which is cost shared 50 percent between the Corps of Engineers and the Nations; it is federally authorized through the Planning Assistance to States and Tribes program.

"We are proud to partner for the first time with the Chickasaw and Choctaw Nations," said Col. Michael Teague, Tulsa District commander. "Our goals of environmental stewardship and sustainability are very closely aligned and we look forward to a continued partnership."

The first phase of the study will focus on developing methods to evaluate in-stream flows and infrastructure. The in-stream flow methodology activity will include a panel of scientists selected by the Nations natural resources committee from federal agencies, academia and other highly qualified individuals.

"It is envisioned that the recommended methodology will be used to establish minimum stream flow levels necessary for highly valued water supply and hydropower," said Cynthia Kitchens, tribal liaison and project manager for the Corps of Engineers. "But just as important, these flows will help sustain natural resources, cultural, and recreational needs that are also extremely important to the Nations and the region for economic as well as other reasons."

The infrastructure assessment methodology will be developed to determine data gathering procedures that will help regionalize and prioritize improvements to aging infrastructures.

"This can be challenging when you consider gathering data from tribes, municipalities, counties, rural water districts, and others who employ a multitude of consultants," Kitchens said. "This phase of the study will identify how to gather data and what data should be obtained. The results will have broad reaching impacts within the region and the Nations."

The first phase of the study is expected to be completed in summer 2012.