03/18/05 Agreement awaits Nez Perce approval

The Nez Perce tribe is expected to vote today on an agreement that gives them millions of dollars in exchange for water rights claims. The so-called Nez Perce agreement has been approved by the Idaho legislature. An enthusiastic Governor Dirk Kempthorne says he will sign the legislation. Supporters of the agreement like Norm Semanko of the Idaho Water Users Association say it prevents a long, drawn out court fight over water rights. SEMANKO "I don't think it's an exaggeration by any means to say that that this would go on for at least another five to ten years. It's a good thing for water attorneys but it's not a good thing for water users and the people of the state of Idaho who have to pay for that to go on and on." And Semanko says there's always the risk of losing a court case too. In addition to tribal consent there are still two biological opinions that must be completed. SEMANKO "To make sure that the flow augmentation that occurs is consistent with what we we've done in the past which is that the water can only come from a willing seller, its not guaranteed, recognizes that we have drought conditions, and all of those things." The Nez Perce tribe will get annual rights to 50 thousand-acre feet of water in the Clearwater River, 11 thousand acres of land and 80 million dollars in cash. Congress and the President have already signed off on the deal, which must be ratified before the end of this month. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott