“Years of legal battle between the government and Northwest Indian tribes finally ended this week with the parties signing a 10-year, $900-million compromise. Idaho Rivers United Executive Director Bill Sedivy said four Native American tribes in Washington and Oregon had agreed to remain silent for 10 years on the issue of the four hydroelectric dams on the lower Snake River. In exchange, federal agencies would expand tribal efforts to protect endangered and threatened fish in the Columbia River Basin, spending up to $900 million on hatchery improvements, stream restoration work, screens to protect fish and additional spillways on some of the dams.” (04/08/08)