Mattaponi Tribe, city settle reservoir lawsuit

Wednesday, April 11, 2007  

The Mattaponi Tribe and the city of Newport News, Virginia, settled a lawsuit over a planned reservoir.

The tribe sued the city, saying the proposal violated a 1677 treaty. A trial was set to begin in June.

The city will now pay the tribe $650,000 to resolve the case. The tribe agreed not to pursue additional litigation.

Get the Story:
Tribe's reservoir lawsuit settled (The Hampton Roads Daily Press 4/11)

Virginia Supreme Court Decision:
Alliance to save the Mattaponi Indian v. Commonwealth of Virginia, Department of Environmental Quality (November 5, 2005)

Case Documents:
Mattaponi v. Virginia (Native American Rights Fund)

Related Stories:
Supreme Court rejects Virginia treaty rights case (06/13)
Virginia's top court hears treaty rights case (09/15)
Mattaponi Tribe appeals treaty case to high court (10/06)
Treaty rights referred to Virginia Supreme Court (09/03)
Judge: Treaty doesn't apply to permit process (4/4)