02/22/05 Arguments against Nez Perce agreement

The Idaho Farm Bureau is opposed to the Nez Perce water agreement, which gives the tribe rights to 50 thousand-acre feet of water from the Clearwater River and 80 million-dollars in cash and land. In exchange the Nez Perce tribe drops its claims to nearly all of the water in the Snake River and its tributaries. That's not a good deal says Farm Bureau's Judy Bartlett who feels this agreement could change Idaho forever. BARTLETT "We believe that Judge Wood made an excellent decision in '99. At that time even the Attorney General's office praised that, called it a landmark decision, said it removes a significant cloud over water rights and he based that decision on US Supreme Court cases." Bartlett says the proposed agreement puts restrictions on private land especially in north Idaho. BARTLETT "We're sacrificing constitutional rights, due process and vested property rights with this agreement." Two days of hearings at Boise State University today and tomorrow gives opponents and supporters of the agreement a chance to voice their opinions. The Idaho legislature and the Nez Perce tribe are being asked to ratify it by the end of March. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott