Supreme Court rules against Navajo Nation in water rights dispute
NBCJUL 2023
The Spin
Establishment-critical narrative
The US has once again broken a treaty obligation made to the indigenous peoples of the country. It does not make sense that water wouldn't be considered integral to a permanent homeland, and the court has put expediency over what is right. For decades, the Navajo have tried to ascertain the water rights owed to them by the federal government, who should spend less time taking the tribes to court and more time helping improve life on the reservation.
Pro-establishment narrative
Climate change is straining the Colorado River basin, which is a lifeline for tens of millions of Americans. Federal and state governments have needed to make hard choices in order to preserve the integrity of the river for the long-term. Even in light of a recent deal between states, there are still deep concerns about water usage in the Southwest, and the Navajo are not the only ones suffering. The US cannot afford to upend the management of the Colorado River at such a crucial juncture.
Metaculus Prediction
There is a 78% chance that the price of water on the NQH20 will hit $2,500 (2021 USD) per acre-foot by 2050, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
