Arizona Water Protection Fund Welcomes New Tribal Appointment
Phoenix, AZ — The Arizona Water Protection Fund Commission (Commission) is proud to announce that Rolando Flores, councilmember of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, has been appointed to the Commission by the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona on February 21.
In a letter announcing the appointment of Mr. Flores, Inter Tribal Council President Paul J. Russell observed that “Mr. Flores will bring valuable insights and contributions to the Commission, helping to further its mission of protecting and enhancing Arizona’s water resources for future generations.”
The Water Protection Fund is a competitive State grant program that provides funding for the development and implementation of measures to protect water of sufficient quality and quantity to maintain, enhance and restore rivers, streams and riparian habitat, including projects that benefit fish and wildlife that are dependent on these important resources.
Commission members are appointed for three-year terms. They may serve more than one term and may continue to serve beyond the expiration of the term until a successor is appointed and assumes office.
According to State statute, the Commission should include “(o)ne person who represents an Indian tribe and who is appointed by the chairman of the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona.”
Water Protection Fund Commission Chairman Pat Jacobs said that “we welcome Mr. Flores for his perspective and understanding of surface-water issues.”
He observed that Arizona’s tribal community “has been without a representative in that position on the Commission for a long time,” and thanked the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona “for appointing a highly qualified representative.”
Mr. Jacobs noted having a Commission member who is representative of tribal perspectives, as well as someone with Mr. Flores’ extensive understanding of surface-water issues, “is vitally important.”
Mr. Flores, an attorney and graduate of the University of Arizona College of Law, has previously served as Attorney General of the Pasqua Yaqui Tribe.
Currently, he is the co-chair for the Economic Development Oversight Committee of the Tribe. He is also the Vice Chairman of the Arizona Indian Gaming Association.
For further information about the Water Protection Fund, or for information about upcoming WPF Commission meetings, visit www.azwpf.gov contact WPF staff at Phone: (602) 771-8528.
