Cite as: 82 CNCA § 3

A. Commencing with Fiscal Year 2022 the Department shall conduct a biennial study and issue a written report relating to barriers to adequate water systems within Cherokee Nation, and more specifically:

a. Conduct, to the greatest extent possible and respecting the privacy interest of individual Cherokee citizens, a census of Cherokee citizens who lack access to water systems, utilizing all available forms of information and public outreach.

b. Develop a plan of action to provide access for each such Cherokee citizen identified in Section 4 §3.A(a) to water systems.

c. Identify the number of Cherokee citizens, per county within the Cherokee Nation reservation, whose access to water is limited to a well water supply and develop long-term strategies to bring rural water supply to as many such citizens as is practical.

d. Identify the most infrastructure-deficient public water systems within Cherokee Nation based on criteria to be determined by the Executive Director.

e. Said biennial study and report shall encompass the subjects set forth in Section 4 §3.A (a)-(d) and shall be delivered to the Principal Chief and Speaker of the Council within 60 days following the end of the final fiscal year covered by the study and report, absent written extension granted by the Principal Chief not to exceed 30 days.

f. Said study and report shall first cover fiscal year 2021 and thereafter cover succeeding fiscal years on a biennial basis.

B. Commencing in Fiscal Year 2021, the Department shall conduct a comprehensive infrastructure analysis of the Cherry Tree Rural Water District, including recommendations and cost estimates for necessary improvements, with said report delivered to the Principal Chief and the Speaker of the Council upon its completion.

Historical Data

LA 15-21, eff. April 12, 2021