Idaho Gov. Dirk Kempthorne (R) finalized the state's approval of a $193 million water settlement with the Nez Perce Tribe on Thursday.

Kempthorne called the deal "historic." The tribe would receive 50,000 acre-feet of water a year for its reservation, a $50 million multiple-use trust fund, a $23 million water supply and sewer system and $7 million worth of land.

The tribe still has to give its stamp of approval, with a decision expected early next week. The deal resolves one of the largest water rights disputes in the West.

Get the Story:
Idaho gov. signs historic water deal (AP 3/25)
Governor Signs Nez Perce Water Agreement Bills (KIFI 3/24)

Relevant Links:
Nez Perce Tribe - http://www.nezperce.org

Related Stories:
Idaho Legislature ratifies Nez Perce water deal (3/17)
Two tribes oppose Nez Perce Tribe's water settlement (03/09)
Editorial: Approve Nez Perce Tribe's water settlement (03/02)
Tribe, public voice concerns about Nez Perce deal (02/24)
Idaho Legislature to debate Nez Perce water deal (2/21)
Nez Perce water rights deal revived in onmibus (11/22)
Nez Perce Tribe's water deal killed in Senate (10/27)
Nez Perce Tribe calls for protection of salmon (08/13)
Senate committee takes up Nez Perce water deal (07/21)
Deal proposed to resolve Idaho tribe's water rights (05/17)