Tribe Wants Oversight Of Reservation Water

The Nez Perce Indian Tribe faces opposition to its efforts to gain oversight of surface water on the north-central Idaho reservation.

Representatives of local governments that will be affected expressed concern about being regulated by a government over which they have no control.

A recent meeting in Lewiston drew representatives from Idaho, Clearwater, Lewis and Nez Perce counties, the cities of Reubens, Orofino, Kamiah and Lewiston, as well as U.S. Sens. Dirk Kempthorne and Larry Craig.

Clearwater County Commissioner James Wilson said the tribe should not have authority over land that has been sold to nontribal members. Some 90 percent of the reservation is owned by nonIndians.

Gregg Teasdale, the state Division of Environmental Quality’s regional administrator, said the Nez Perce want to perform regulatory functions now under state control. The intent is only for the tribe to regulate surface water, not drinking water or water rights such as well permits.

Teasdale said matters over which the tribe will have jurisdiction if approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency include overseeing cleanup of hazardous materials spills within the reservation.

Daniel C. Picard, the tribe’s water resources director, said the Nez Perce are not dissatisfied with state oversight but want to exercise their sovereign responsibilities.