The Interior Department is proposing to cut tribes out of the appeals process for the licensing and operation of dams.

The department has proposed and is asking for public comment on a rule to limit appeals to the hydropower industry. That would prevent tribes, states and other parties from challenging dams that affect fishing and other treaty rights.

Within Interior, attorneys and officials have questioned the rule. They said it would discriminate against tribes, to whom the department has a trust responsibility.

Senate Republicans tried to limit hydro appeals in the failed energy bill. Tribes opposed the measure.

Get the Story:
Proposal Restricts Appeals on Dams (The Washington Post 10/28)
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