BOISE, ID — Idaho officials and the Coeur d’Alene Tribe announced Thursday they have reached a proposed settlement aimed at resolving decades of litigation over water rights in North Idaho.
Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador, Idaho Gov. Brad Little and tribal leaders signed the agreement during a ceremony in Boise. The settlement outlines how certain tribal federal reserved water rights and existing state-based water rights would be recognized across the Coeur d’Alene–Spokane River Basin.
Under the proposal, the Tribe would recognize and protect most existing water rights issued under Idaho law with priority dates of Sept. 6, 2023, or earlier. The agreement also allows recognition of up to 10,000 acre-feet per year of additional state-based water rights intended to support future growth in North Idaho communities…