Wednesday, August 5, 2026 — Tribes condemn federal Colorado River water use plan

Tribes that collectively make up the largest water rights holders along the Colorado River say the Trump Administration’s newest plan to deal with diminishing water levels is inadequate. Tribal leaders say they were left out of the decision making process and are now in store for serious water use cuts that violate existing water rights agreements as well as the federal government’s trust responsibility. We’ll hear from some of those tribal leaders.

We’ll also find out what’s next following the Michigan Supreme Court’s ruling to deny a permit to the company aiming to construct a new underwater oil pipeline to replace the aging existing structure.

GUESTS

Bidtah Becker (Diné), chief legal counsel for the Office of the President and Vice President of the Navajo Nation

David Gover (Pawnee and Choctaw), managing attorney with the Native American Rights Fund

Governor Stephen Roe Lewis, Gila River Indian Community

Jennifer Smith, director of tribal engagement for Enbridge