Arizona high court settles water rights query Updated: Thursday,
September 20, 2012 11:36 AM By FELICIA FONSECA FLAGSTAFF, Ariz.
(AP) -- Congress did not intend to reserve water rights for
state trust lands, the Arizona Supreme Court ruled Wednesday in
settling a question important to resolving claims to the Little
Colorado and Gila rivers. State officials had argued that when
Congress granted the land to Arizona for universities,
government buildings, prisons and other institutions, it
established a trust similar to creating reservations for
American Indian tribes and, therefore, implied reserved water
rights. The high court said land grants are different in that
they are not the product of negotiated agreements or treaties.
It also rejected Arizona's argument that Congress meant to
reserve water rights for state trust lands because lawmakers
were aware that water was needed to make use of the arid land.
"Support of the common schools and other specific institutions
undoubtedly serves the public interest," t