Idaho Gov. Butch Otter (R) apologized to the Coeur d'Alene Tribe for comments made by a official who said a state park on the reservation might have to be shut down.

Otter said he supports continued operation of the Old Mission State Park. The park is the home of the 155-year-old Cataldo Mission, which plays an important role in tribal history.

The tribe and the state signed a 25-year agreement in 2002 for the park. The tribe recently spent $3.8 million on a visitors center and was upset when a state official said the park faced closure unless the tribe contributed more money.

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Otter reassures tribe on mission park (The Spokesman Review 3/20)