Nebraska tribe: Proposed data center threatens water rights
The Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska is opposing a proposed Google data center in Salix, Iowa, citing threats to their water rights tied to the Missouri River and Dakota Sandstone Aquifer. The tribe asserts these rights are legally protected and vital for the reservation's sustainability, calling it a sovereignty issue. They have approved a resolution against hyperscale data centers near their reservation and have made their position known to Woodbury County, which is considering data center rules.
The Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska is actively opposing a potential Google data center project in Salix, Iowa, which is located just across the state line from their reservation near the Missouri River. The proposed facility, spanning approximately 900 acres, has raised concerns among tribal leaders that it could endanger their water rights, which are legally protected by a Supreme Court ruling from over a century ago.
Margaret Scott, a member of the Winnebago Tribal Council, emphasized that the reservation's wells draw from the Dakota Sandstone Aquifer and the Missouri River, which are essential for the community's fresh water supply. The Winnebago Tribal Council has formally passed a resolution opposing hyperscale data centers on or near its reservation. Google has stated it is still evaluating the Salix site and intends to consider local water resources in its development plans.
Scott underscored that tribal leaders have participated in public meetings to vocalize their opposition and submitted written comments as Woodbury County considers new regulations for data centers. She articulated that the tribe views this issue as a matter of sovereignty, where the U.S. government's reservation of land for the tribe implicitly includes the water rights necessary for its long-term survival. Scott also referenced a UNICEF projection warning of global water stress for children by 2040, highlighting the generational importance of protecting these resources. Despite the tribe providing contact information, Google and MidAmerican Energy have not yet engaged with tribal leaders regarding the proposed data center.