(KNZA)--The Kickapoo Tribe has responded to the Brown County Commission’s decision not to sign a letter of support in their efforts to secure federal legislation approving a water settlement agreement between the tribe and state of Kansas.

The Commission this week reviewed letters received from Kickapoo Tribal Chairman Lester Randall along with Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Jackie McClaskey regarding the decision.

Both offered to meet with the Commission to further discuss the matter, answer questions and address their concerns.   

The Commission decided not to sign the letter of support last week after hearing concerns from a group of landowners about the tribe’s effort to revive a water reservoir project.

In his letter, Randall said the water settlement agreement approved last September only addresses the tribe’s water rights and how those rights will be administered by the state along with other water rights in the Delaware River basin.  He said there is no agreement in the water settlement to build the Plum Creek Reservoir project, which continues to be a source of concern to Brown County landowners.

In his letter, McClaskey also said the settlement agreement and congressional approval does not authorize or fund construction of a reservoir.

He said the settlement agreement is a favorable alternative for all parties involved and improves certainty of water availability to the region.