OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The nation's highest court is preparing to consider whether a North Texas water district should have access to water supplies in southeastern Oklahoma.
Oral arguments are scheduled before the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday in the Tarrant Regional Water District's challenge of Oklahoma statutes that govern the appropriation and use of water within its boundaries.
The district filed a federal lawsuit in 2007 to invalidate state laws it claims pose a burden to interstate commerce. The water district wants to transfer water flowing through southeastern Oklahoma to Fort Worth, Arlington and surrounding communities.
A federal judge dismissed the lawsuit. The state says the Red River Compact, which includes Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana, insulates Oklahoma water statutes from interstate commerce challenges involving surface water that is subject to the compact.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.