Snake River Basin Adjudication, Nez Perce Tribe Water Rights
Attorney: Steve Moore

Case Update

NARF has represented the Nez Perce Tribe in Idaho in its water rights claims in the Snake River Basin Adjudication (SRBA) -both litigation and settlement phases - for over 16 years. Congress enacted the Snake River Settlement Act of 2004 and President Bush signed it into law on December 8, 2004.

We continue to work with the Tribe, on a very limited basis, to secure final approval of the settlement by the state water court, and on the federal appropriations process. We were successful in securing FY 2011 appropriations for the Tribe, and are working now on the FY 2012 appropriations.

Additionally, we are representing the Tribe in the drafting and negotiations with the United States, the State and private water interests in the final unified decree that will be the capstone document closing the SRBA adjudication. It is anticipated that the final decree will be signed by the judge in 2012.