OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - A North Texas water district is increasing its efforts to convince Oklahoma officials to sell water from the southeastern corner of the state.

Tarrant Regional Water District general manager Jim Oliver said Friday that he's encouraged by the business-like approach of new Gov. Mary Fallin and state lawmakers.

The district sued the Oklahoma Water Resources Board in 2007 to force the board to provide access to Oklahoma water. A federal judge dismissed the lawsuit last year.

District consultant Hopper Smith says the district would rather negotiate a solution than litigate one.

Fallin spokesman Alex Weintz says the governor is willing to listen to the district's proposal -- but that Oklahoma's needs must come first.

The district serves about 1.8 million people in the Fort Worth area.

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