$15,000 Match — Every Dollar DOUBLED!
We've already raised $25,000 toward our legal fund. An anonymous donor is now matching every contribution up to $15,000.
If you've been meaning to give, this is the moment. Help us hit this first major benchmark and build the foundation for what comes next.
Match expires March 18, 2026. Donate now and double your impact.
The Core Problem
Ecology Claims:
- Tribal governments have senior federal water rights on "trust lands" that trump all other uses
- These rights come from the Point Elliott Treaty of 1855
- Property owners must prove their wells don't impair these tribal claims
Our Position:
- Treaty-reserved water rights were created for individual Indian allottees, not corporate tribal governments
- These individual allotments were later placed under state jurisdiction by federal law
- Ecology's "tribal trust seniority" theory misreads the treaty, federal law, and Supreme Court precedent
- We must challenge jurisdiction first before being forced into "collaboration"
CRITICAL IMPACT
Could be reduced to...
If Ecology's theory stands, your existing domestic, farm, or business well could be deemed "junior" to tribal claims—forcing you to meter, curtail, or abandon wells you've used for decades.
What's At Stake
Well Restrictions
Your well may be forced to meter, curtail pumping, or shut down during dry periods
Property Value Loss
Reliable water access becomes uncertain, reducing your property value
Settlement Pressure
You may be pressured to accept limitations without testing legal claims in court
Farm Operations
Agricultural operations could be curtailed, threatening your livelihood
Our Strategy
Challenge Jurisdiction
File motions questioning whether Ecology and tribal governments have legal standing to assert these federal trust-based claims
Demand Proof
Require Ecology and tribes to prove trust boundaries, treaty basis, and actual water use—not just assert claims
Organize Landowners
Build a unified coalition to fund experienced water rights attorneys and expert witnesses
Preserve Rights
Help property owners file protective claims without waiving jurisdictional defenses
Support the Legal Defense Fund
Your contribution funds experienced attorneys, expert witnesses, and documentary research to challenge Ecology's water rights claims.
Donations by check may be mailed to the address below. Please make checks payable to POWWRA.POWWRA
6567 Lunde Rd.
Everson, WA 98247
POWWRA is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit and uses donated funds transparently for legal fees, expert witnesses, research, and outreach. Donations are not tax deductible.