The Nez Perce Tribe of Idaho is accusing the Bonneville Power Administration of holding $16.4 million in federal funds hostage.

The tribe says BPA, a federal agency, should release the money to build a fish hatchery in northeast Oregon. But government officials wants assurances that the hatchery will not run afoul of a judge's ruling affecting salmon management on the Snake and Columbia rivers.

The hatchery has been in the works for several decades. It would be used to boost runs of endangered and threatened salmon.

Get the Story:
Idaho tribe, BPA at odds over new Oregon chinook hatchery (AP 8/1)

Relevant Links:
Nez Perce Tribe - http://www.nezperce.org
Columbia Inter-Tribal Fish Commission - http://www.critfc.org

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