Lake Segment Is In Good Hands

Sat., Aug. 1, 1998

By D.F. Oliveria daveo@spokesman.com (509) 319-0354

For years, Coeur d’Alene tribal members have spoken eloquently about the importance of area waters to their culture. It is their lifeblood. In fact, they even have a holiday just to celebrate water potatoes.

Now, the tribe is poised to reclaim part of that heritage. A ruling by U.S. District Judge Edward Lodge this week has returned the lower third of Lake Coeur d’Alene and 20 miles of the St. Joe River to the Coeur d’Alenes.

While the Coeur d’Alenes celebrate - and wait to see if the state of Idaho will appeal Lodge’s decision - however, boaters, fishermen, lake shore owners and others who use the lake are holding their collective breath. Will the tribe use the decision as a club to impose unfair fees and requirements? Will it ban non-Indians from their waters? Certainly, there will be a transition period - and a possible time of painful adjustment. But the Coeur d’Alenes are famous for considering their neighbors when they make major decisions. They cooperate with other governments. And, as 19th century trappers discovered, the tribe knows how to conduct business. The tribe isn’t going to alienate those it needs to support its many business ventures.

The first step taken by the Coeur d’Alene Tribal Council after the ruling was reassuring.

The council adopted “transition statutes” that suggest little will change any time soon. Also, it decided to visit the Confederated Salish And Kootenai Tribes, which in 1982 won control of the lower half of Flathead Lake. After a rocky start, the Salish-Kootenais and Montana officials have learned to work together. The same cooperation can be expected on the Coeur d’Alene Reservation - if the next governor follows Gov. Phil Batt’s lead in treating Idaho’s tribes with fairness and respect.

We hope that spirit of cooperation spills over into the tribe’s dealings with Silver Valley mining companies, which it is suing to clean up the Coeur d’Alene drainage, and Washington Water Power Co. Noticeably, attorney Ray Givens was mum when asked if the tribe will begin charging WWP for water storage for its downstream dams. In northwest Montana, the water quality of Flathead Lake has improved under Salish-Kootenai control. The tribes take their charge seriously because they have the time and resources to monitor lake shore development more closely than the counties. Also, they know they’re under a microscope.

If Judge Lodge’s decision stands, the lower third of Lake Coeur d’Alene should be in good hands.

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