CSKT Water Compact is still not acceptable

The undersigned members of the Lincoln County Republican Club are quite concerned about the proposed, updated 2015 version of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) Water Compact. From what information we have been able to gather, there does not appear to be any significant revision from the former 2013 version we strongly opposed. Therefore, we continue to oppose the CSKT Water Compact and SB 262, which is being introduced to support and sponsor passage of the subject compact.

We want to recognize the extensive efforts made by our senator, Chas Vincent, to address the concerns we have raised and make revisions that remove those concerns.  However, there remain too many unanswered or unresolved questions regarding legal and constitutional implications with opposing positions that are strongly defended by both proponents and opponents. Thus, whatever action is taken in our 64th Legislature appears headed for litigation, one way or the other.

The off-reservation water implications that potentially affect those of us in Lincoln County pose a particularly significant dilemma. This issue is our primary sticking point. Have the negotiations for the proposed settlement regarding these off-reservation waters ceded too much from the State of Montana to the Tribes and/or feds on their behalf? We think the settlement negotiations should have been confined to the reservation and no further than potentially affected areas adjoining the reservation.

The subject 2015 version may provide unnecessary concessions that may effectually compromise Montana’s legal and constitutional rights and sovereignty and the property and water rights and interests of its residents. The subject Water Management Board appears to present similar challenges for on-reservation affected parties, but that will not directly impact those of us residing in Lincoln County.

— Larry Dolezal, Leland Kibler, Judy Matott on behalf of the Lincoln County Republican Club