Under the comprehensive settlement that covers past and future use of tribal land and water for the Spokan River plants, the utility and tribe have also agreed to the relicensing bids for 50-year terms, maintaining water levels, transmission line corridors and future storage payments related to Post Falls reservoir.
An investment package worth up to US$150M is planned for environmental measures at Coeur d'Alene Lake and compensation to the tribe. The level of compensation for past use of storage water is US$39M, and payments are to be made over three years.
For future storage the parties agreed to compensation of US$0.4M annually for the first 20 years of a new licence, and US$0.7M each year for the remainder of the term.
In addition, Avista has agreed to establish a resource protection trust fund to help it and the tribe collaborate on erosion control, wetland management, monitoring, weed management and protection of cultural resources. Funding of US$100M will be contributed by the utility over the term of the 50-year licence.
