Where: Nez Perce Tribe and City of Lapwai, Idaho
Problem: A regional wastewater treatment plant project’s success is jeopardized.
Solution: RCAC staff is facilitating communication between the two parties to ensure affordable wastewater service is available to low-income residents in both communities.

More than five years ago, the City of Lapwai and the Nez Perce Tribe used U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) grant funds to construct a wastewater treatment plant to serve both communities. This regional approach was intended to create an economy of scale that would make day-to-day operations and upgrades more affordable for the City, the Tribe and, in the future, other nearby residential areas without current sewer service. The city agreed to close its treatment plant and entered into a legal agreement to participate in this project with the Tribe. In the process, the City became the Tribe’s partner and wastewater customer.

By the end of the plant’s first year in operation, the City had fallen behind on its payments to the Tribe. Meanwhile, the Tribe continued to maintain the treatment plant. Confusion over costs and historical conflicts between the two parties brought discussion to a standstill and when RCAC staff was approached to provide assistance, the two had not met to discuss the plant in more than a year. Besides the lack of communication between the Tribe and City, communication with USDA was insufficient which jeopardized what remained of the existing USDA grant and access to future grant funds.

By February 2015, RCAC staff met with both City and Tribal staff to discuss wastewater utility budgets, past and future cost agreements and the City’s proposal for arrears.

In July 2015, RCAC staff met with the Tribe’s finance director, and clarified the contract between the Tribe and City, including financial information and contract enforcement. RCAC also met with the utility supervisor and clerk to discuss the utility budget, and suggest clarification of the budget cycle so both the Tribe and the City understand the payment schedule. RCAC also facilitated improved communication between both parties and USDA, a necessary step if either wants to secure future funding.

Finally, in August the representatives from the Tribe and the City sat down at the table to discuss actual costs to operate the wastewater treatment plant, and to begin to map out a possible plan to resolve their differences. This is a significant first step forward. RCAC is working alongside both parties to ensure necessary, affordable wastewater service is available to residents in both communities.