The Idaho Legislature concluded two days of hearings on the Nez Perce Tribe's $193 million water rights settlement with the state and federal government but delayed a vote on approving the pact.

Among those that voiced concerns about the deal was the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes. The tribe is worried that the deal encroaches on the water settlement it reached with the state in 1990.

Other concerns centered on impacts to farmers and logging operations. The settlement affects hundreds of water users on the Snake Rivr.

More than 300 people attended the hearings. The state has until March 31 to approve the deal.

Get the Story:
Water rights decision put off: House panel delays acting until Friday (The Idaho State Journal 2/24)
Lawmakers delay Nez Perce vote (AP 2/24)
Shoshone-Bannock Tribes wary of Nez Perce deal (The Idaho State Journal 2/23)
Public Chimes In On Nez Perce Water Agreement (KBCI 2/23)
Public Voices Concerns Over Water Agreement to Lawmakers (KIFI 2/23)
Hearings could decide fate of Snake River water (KTVB 2/23)
Nez Perce hearing draws hundreds (AP 2/23)

Relevant Links:
Nez Perce Tribe - http://www.nezperce.org

Related Stories:
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)
Nez Perce Tribe calls for protection of salmon (08/13)
Senate committee takes up Nez Perce water deal (07/21)
Deal proposed to resolve Idaho tribe's water rights (05/17)