The Water Policy and Planning program is dedicated to the protection, management, and sustainable use of water resources throughout the Choctaw Nation. The program ensures long-term water security across the reservation communities by drawing on modern environmental sciences and traditional land stewardship practices.
A key component of this work involves closely monitoring legislative and regulatory developments that could impact the Choctaw Nation, its water resources, or the Water Settlement Agreement. The Water Policy and Planning team tracks and analyzes proposed laws and policy changes at the state, federal, and regional levels, and works collaboratively with governments, agencies, and partners to ensure that the voice and sovereignty of the Choctaw Nation are respected.
Another critical focus of the program is drought contingency planning. As southeastern Oklahoma faces increasingly frequent and severe drought conditions, Choctaw Nation is developing strategies to prepare communities for water shortages and build climate resilience through adequate modeling and water accounting to help reduce vulnerability to drought and changing climate conditions.
These efforts include
- Identifying early warning signs
- Improving emergency response planning
- Promoting water conservation practices
- Strengthening infrastructure
- Encouraging sustainable development patterns