The Idaho Legislature gave approval on Wednesday to a $193 million water right settlement for the Nez Perce Tribe.

The state Senate voted 27-7 to pass the deal, with opponents questioning whether the tribe has rights on the Snake River. The Shoshone-Bannock Tribe has already promised a lawsuit.

Under the settlement, the tribe would receive 50,000 acre-feet of water a year for its reservation, a $50 million multiple-use trust fund, a $23 million water supply and sewer system and $7 million worth of land.

Gov. Dirk Kempthorne (R) said he will sign the deal, which already won approval from Congress.

Get the Story:
Historic water agreement clears Idaho Legislature (AP 3/16)
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Idaho Senate Finalizes Historic Water Deal (AP 3/17)
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Relevant Links:
Nez Perce Tribe - http://www.nezperce.org

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Two tribes oppose Nez Perce Tribe's water settlement (03/09)
Editorial: Approve Nez Perce Tribe's water settlement (03/02)
Tribe, public voice concerns about Nez Perce deal (02/24)
Idaho Legislature to debate Nez Perce water deal (2/21)
Nez Perce water rights deal revived in onmibus (11/22)
Nez Perce Tribe's water deal killed in Senate (10/27)
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Deal proposed to resolve Idaho tribe's water rights (05/17)