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US Supreme Court to hear Okla. water rights case

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to take up the case of a north Texas water district that filed a lawsuit to gain access to water supplies in southeastern Oklahoma.

The nation's highest court decided Friday to hear the lawsuit filed by the Tarrant Regional Water District. Among other things, the lawsuit sought authorization to transfer Oklahoma stream and surface water to Fort Worth, Arlington and surrounding communities.

The water district wanted to invalidate Oklahoma laws governing the appropriation and use of water within its boundaries that north Texas communities alleged posed burdens to interstate commerce. The lawsuit was dismissed by a federal judge. A federal appeals court upheld that ruling.

Jim Oliver, general manager of the district, says the Supreme Court's decision should resolve the legal issues involved.