The Nez Perce Tribe of Idaho is considering a lawsuit against the federal government for the failure to protect salmon fisheries, the tribe's biologist said.

Under an 1855 treaty, the Nez Perce have the right to fish "at all usual and accustomed places," including off-reservation sites. But biologist Emmit Taylor said the government has allowed salmon habitat to be destroyed by placing dams on the Clearwater, Snake and Columbia rivers.

As a result, Taylor said the tribe has lost its economy and has been plagued by social and health problems, like diabetes.

Get the Story:
Fishing needed to preserve tribal culture (The Montana Kaimin 3/15)

Relevant Links:
Nez Perce Tribe - http://www.nezperce.org
Columbia Inter-Tribal Fish Commission - http://www.critfc.org

Related Stories:
Nez Perce Tribe accepts $193M water settlement (3/30)
Idaho governor signs Nez Perce Tribe's water deal (3/25)
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)