News Release Archive

Reclamation Signs Agreement with the Nez Perce Tribe

Media Contact: John Redding, (208) 378-5212, jredding@usbr.gov
Lesa J. Stark, lstark@usbr.gov

For Release: February 08, 2011

Nez Perce Tribe Chairman McCoy Oatman and the Tribal Executive Committee will meet with Regional Director Karl Wirkus with the Bureau of Reclamation, Pacific Northwest Region and Barry Thom, Deputy Northwest Regional Administrator with NOAA Fisheries on February 18, 2011. The Federal officials and Tribal leaders will gather during a private ceremony to recognize the signing of the Term Sheet Agreement that provides for a three year hold on litigation brought against the Federal Government by the Tribe relating to the final Biological Opinion for the continued operations and maintenance of the Lewiston Orchards Project (LOP).

The Agreement addresses short term water operations and commits the parties to advance the study and an ongoing appraisal investigation of the Lower Clearwater Exchange Project (LCEP).

"Reclamation is committed to assisting the LCEP with the Federal planning process and is willing to advance planning efforts," said Wirkus.

This investigation was proposed by the Lewiston Orchards Irrigation District (LOID), Tribe, City of Lewiston, Lewiston Chamber of Commerce, and Nez Perce County to create a reliable water supply for LOID. The investigation may help to eventually resolve Endangered Species Act and Federal-Tribal Trust issues surrounding the LOP. In 2010, Reclamation provided $228,784 in funding to perform the appraisal investigation under Reclamation's Rural Water Supply Program. More about Reclamation's Rural Water Supply Program can be located at www.usbr.gov/ruralwater.

The LOP is a Reclamation project located near Lewiston, Idaho. It was originally constructed by private interests, beginning in 1906. The project was federalized in 1946 and since then most of the project features have been rehabilitated or rebuilt by Reclamation. The project facilities include Reservoir A (Mann Lake), Soldiers Meadow Reservoir, and Lake Waha as storage reservoirs, four diversion structures, several feeder canals, and a system for distribution of irrigation water.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.

Relevant Link:

http://www.usbr.gov/ruralwater