The Oklahoma House of Representatives has chosen a new leader to take the reins next year, reports member station KOSU.Charles McCall is a Republican from Atoka in southeast Oklahoma. It’s hoped that he will bring a unique perspective on water to the capitol.
McCall feels that water is Oklahoma’s most important, God-given resource. Part of his water passion stems from the fact that his district includes Atoka Lake. The region also sits atop the Arbuckle-Simpson Aquifer. That means his home district has been at the center of two of the state’s biggest water fights.
McCall says water plays “a tremendous role” in his district’s largest industries, agriculture and tourism. However, that doesn’t mean he’s against pumping southeast Oklahoma’s water to Oklahoma City or drought-prone western parts of the state. But he views the idea with caution.