Wells Dam dispute ends in deal with tribes

EAST WENATCHEE, Wash. – The Douglas County Public Utility District has agreed to compensate the Colville Confederated Tribes for land flooded by Wells Dam, ending a 40-year-old dispute and clearing the way for relicensing.

The deal, approved by the tribes’ Business Council last month and signed by two PUD commissioners on Monday, gives the tribes $13.5 million, a share of the power generated at the dam and 466 acres of land.

In exchange, the Colvilles agree to support the PUD’s bid for a new federal operating license and to drop all land claims.

Tribal compensation has been an issue since the dam was first licensed in 1962. Negotiations began in earnest two years ago because the utility is seeking a new 50-year license.

The Federal Power Act requires utilities to compensate American Indians for the effects of dams on tribal lands.

“There were some tense times in the negotiation, but everybody remained professional,” PUD Manager Bill Dobbins said.

“We weren’t negotiating this settlement for us. We were doing it for our tribes and our future generations,” said D.R. Michel, chairman of the tribes’ natural resources committee.

Dobbins said the 466 acres are valued at about $958,140.

PUD officials balked when tribal representatives said in January 2003 that they wanted $950 million for fishing lands lost when the dam was built.

But Michel said Monday that the tribes eventually will collect that amount under the agreement, which lets them resell 4.5 percent of the power produced at the dam, worth an estimated $4.5 million a year.