An Arizona tribe is suing the largest supplier of water in the state. The Ak-Chin Community says the Central Arizona Water Conservation District, which transports water from Lake Mead, is planning to shortchange them.

This isn’t the first time the district has tried to deny the tribe this 10,000 acre feet share of water, which is supposed to be delivered any year when sufficient surface water is available.

According to court documents, the agency has tried to do that before, but the federal government usually intervenes. That doesn’t look like it will happen next year based on recent statements despite a big winter.

“We are kind of scratching our heads at that, that should be more water for the state of Arizona,” Chairman Robert Miguel said. “In recent years they have attempted to short Ak-Chin water, and the government has stood behind our back and advised that it is secure.”

Miguel says he’s not sure why the new administration hasn’t taken a position on this yet. The lawyer for the district said in a statement that this lawsuit is the result of differing interpretations of ambiguous language and not about withholding water but rather a mutual desire to seek clarity.