The strange case of the Snake River Basin Adjudication agreement (condensed):
- The Nez Perce Tribe sues the state of Idaho in district court claiming all the water in the Snake, Salmon and Clearwater rivers.
- The district court denies all the water claims of the tribe.
- The tribe files appeal to Idaho Supreme Court.
- The court orders mediation, under "gag" order.
- After five years of secret negotiation, agreement is made public on May 15.
- In the agreement the tribe will withdraw its appeal to Idaho Supreme Court in exchange for $193 million in land, water, cash and control of the Kooskia and Dworshak fish hatcheries.
The tribe loses in court but gets $193 million. What's wrong with this picture?
Related Pages:
Water Rights Settlement Draws a Fight by Jodi Walker, Lewiston Tribune, 8/6/4
John F. Schurbon, Mayor of Kooskia & chairman of the North Central Idaho Jurisdiction Alliance
How's That Again?
Lewiston Tribune, August 15, 2004
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