02/22/05 Argument favoring Nez Perce agreement

Congress has given its approval to the Nez Perce Water agreement. Very shortly, the Idaho legislature will be asked to do the same. Norm Semanko of the Idaho Water Users Association says this agreement prevents costly, lengthy court fights and decisions that may be detrimental to Idaho. Semanko says there are plenty of reasons why this is a good thing. SEMANKO "On the off reservation in stream flow claims and the on reservation in stream flow claims those claims would waived and relinquished by the United States and the tribe forever. With regard to the on reservation consumptive use claims the settlement recognizes a water right for that purpose in the amount of 50 thousand acre feet." Semanko says the nearly half of the 193 million dollar agreement goes to the state of Idaho and water users. The Nez Perce tribe gets most of the other half of the money. SEMANKO "They're receiving 50 million dollars for what they call a multiple use fund. That is to do things for habitat. They can acquire land. They can acquire water. That's what they get in return for giving up their water right claims, is this 50 million dollars." This agreement is one of two major water rights cases that the legislature must deal with before its adjournment. The House Resources and Conservation Committee is expecting a big crowd at Boise State for two days of hearings beginning later today. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott