Mattaponi patiently, but relentlessly pursuing water rights

Under the local radar screen, the Mattaponi tribe continues to pursue its opposition to the King William reservoir. As the article states, "For about 20 years, the tribe has fought the construction of a reservoir in King William County by Newport News, which would draw water from the Mattaponi River to fill its reservoir. The water would serve residents living on the Peninsula, a section of the Hampton Roads metropolitan area." Judge Poston from Norfolk Circuit Court is sitting in Newport News Circuit Court to hear the case set for trial in June, 2007. The Mattaponi have treaties with Virginia which predate the formation of the United States. Think about that when you read an article about their ongoing quest for federal recognition.