Water dispute heads to court

MAY 30, 2000

The state of Maine and the Department of the Interior are likely to go to federal court over the issue of water rights on the Penobscot and Passamaquaddy Reservations. At issue is who can regulate water quality on these reservations, the tribes or the states. The state claims that they have jurisdiction due to the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act. On behalf of the tribes, the Department of Interior claims that the tribes reserve this right. The water quality permits are important to local businesses such as paper mills.

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Dispute over water quality regulation expected to go to federal court (AP /30)