Lack of answers leads to water compact opposition

Letter to the Editor:

The CSKT Water Compact (simply compact hereafter) is, indeed, controversial. I am puzzled by a few things. I want to know what the pros and cons of the compact are as now written. Will it benefit us? If so, specifically how will it benefit us? What, if any, are the ramifications of the passage of the compact as is? How will its passage affect ranchers, property owners, irrigators/irrigation wells, Montanore Mine, recreational use of our streams and rivers, etc.? I want simple, easy to understand answers. (I don’t like legislative language /legalese.)

I think it would have been very beneficial to constituents had our local legislators held a public forum for questions and answers regarding this compact. I am sure that would have been much appreciated. Many feel they have been left in the dark. It is such a complex and detailed document, which when passed, can never be readdressed. This will have a tremendous impact on every Montana resident.

If the Compact is passed as is, it is my understanding it will automatically establish a Water Management Board, which will be the first of its kind in Montana. Apparently this board will have five members; two appointed by the Governor, two appointed by the Tribal Council, and one appointed by the other four members. If those four members are deadlocked as to the choice of the fifth member, the Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana will make the appointment. My thinking is that this Water Management Board potentially increases federal bureaucracy and may remove local control of our off-reservation water resources. It also gives the appearance of a stacked deck which does not favor the non-Tribal land owners

 If my understanding is correct, the public should be informed. If my understanding is incorrect, the public should be informed of that, as well.

I understand the weekend of Feb. 5, Sen. Chas Vincent will have taken part in a Helena forum/panel, but the public will not be permitted to ask questions or offer comments. Perhaps that will change. There will soon be a legislative vote. Sen. Vincent at first was very much against the compact, (as were our other two local legislators) but Sen. Vincent is now sponsoring it in the Legislature.

I would like to know what facts convinced him to now favor the compact. What specific changes have made it acceptable?

Because I do not know the answers to the questions I’ve mentioned, and remain dubious, I do not support passage of the CSKT Water Compact.

— Judy Matott, Libby