We, the undersigned, are opposed to the draining of San Carlos Lake, which is used by thousands of Arizonans. We call on Byran Newland Acting Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, Darryl LaCounte, Director, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Governor of Arizona Doug Ducey, Arizona Senator Kyrstern Sinema, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, United States President Joe Biden:

1. Lake level dropping below 40%

2. Control the release of water from the reservoir solely falls to The Bureau of Indian       Affairs

San Carlos Lake has been enjoyed by thousands of sportsmen and boaters for the past 90 years.  Within the past 15 years the lake level has dropped to deadly levels for the wildlife that lives in and around the lake.  In June of 2021 the lake only had 55 acre feet when the lake is designed to hold 19,500 acre feet.  The reservoir is continuously releasing water to supply farmers with water, whom refuse to drill wells like all the other farmers in the state.  Within its life the lake has been at kill off level nearly 20 times, resulting in the killing of all aquatic species within the water and hindering the surrounding animal population. The Bald Eagle also calls this area home, and their existence is hindered by the lack of water in the lake.

Due to the low levels of the lake which created a lack of tourism, numerous people had lost their jobs or businesses, who rely on the level of the lake to remain at least 40%.  With the lake being drained almost every year, this causes an ecological disaster year after year.  

The local residence in the area rely on the water of the lake to water their livestock, and supply water for the local animal inhabitants that the San Carlos Apache Nation relies on to bring in hunters, bird watchers, fishing, and camping enthusiast.  

The San Carlos Apache Reservation is severely impacted by the level of the lake. With over 16,000 persons residing on the reservation and nearly 1.8 million Arizona residents in the surrounding counties, this reservoir serves as a local recreation area for all types of sports.  With the low lake levels this opportunity to go experience the great outdoors is taken away from all of us. 

The reservoir also serves as a location for wild land fire fighting aircraft to fill their water tanks and battle wildfires in the area.  With no water in the reservoir these types of aircraft have to travel longer distances and use precious time to refill and return to battle the fire.  With a proper lake level the environment, wildlife and residence in the area will flourish and grow.  

All of us Arizonans need to take a stand and demand that the lake level does not drop below 40% and the control of the release of water be solely governed by the San Carlos Apache Nation Government. Stop the taking from our fellow citizens who have had a lot taken from them already.