Tribal Chairman Lowery Signs Historic Clean Water LegislationOn September 17, 2026, the Lumbee Tribal Council unanimously passed the “Lumbee Tribe Clean Water Fundamental Right Declaration.” Today,

Tribal Chairman Lowery Signs Historic Clean Water Legislation

On September 17, 2026, the Lumbee Tribal Council unanimously passed the “Lumbee Tribe Clean Water Fundamental Right Declaration.” Today, Chairman John Lowery took the important step of signing the document and certifying the ordinance as affecting a fundamental right of the Lumbee people. This historic declaration affirms the Tribe’s commitment to protecting access to safe, clean, and reliable water for all Lumbee citizens. The ordinance establishes clean water as a fundamental right and provides a framework for the Tribe to protect water resources, promote environmental health, and support the long-term well-being of current and future generations. Chairman Lowery said, “Either the Lumbee River, Cape Fear River, or any of the water ways in between, it is important that we recognize clean water as a fundamental right for our citizens and neighbors and we take the steps needed toward strengthening Tribal sovereignty, protecting our communities' health, and ensuring every Lumbee family has access to safe, reliable water.”

Speaker Alex Baker said from the beginning, the Council believed this question was bigger than any one elected body. “Clean water touches our health, our homeland, our families, and the generations who will come after us”, said Baker. “We unanimously asked that the Lumbee People themselves have the opportunity to declare clean water a fundamental right. Chairman Lowery’s certification honors that request and moves this historic question forward to our citizens.”