Lincoln County shoud benefit from Libby Dam sacrifice

Guest Commentary:

Dear Sen. Steve Daines,

We want to bring to your attention and request your support for what we feel is long overdue compensation to Lincoln County and the state of Montana for the construction and operation of the Libby Dam located in Lincoln County, Montana. Libby Dam was the only United States dam authorized by the Columbia River Treaty. The Columbia River Treaty is a 1964 agreement between Canada and the United States on the development and operation of dams in the upper Columbia River basin for power and flood control benefits in both countries. The treaty provided for the sharing with Canada of one half of the downstream U.S. power and flood benefits which ranges from $200 to $400 million per year in compensation.

Canada received this compensation to offset the negative impacts of land loss, water storage, social, economic and environmental impacts, etc., to communities. British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest have received tremendous economic benefits through energy savings and flood control. 

We feel it is unfair that Lincoln County or the state of Montana has never received similar compensation. We feel that since Libby Dam was authorized by this same treaty, we should receive similar benefits to what our Canadian neighbors have been receiving as we have sacrificed equally for the same reasons (i.e. the primary benefit of others downstream from us).

Our economy in Lincoln County is continually near the highest unemployment and poverty in Montana. Fair and just compensation from the Libby Dam would greatly help our schools, roads, general operations and infrastructure. We ask for your support in this effort to seek compensation equal to that of our Canadian neighbors. Thank you for support in this important matter.

Mike Cole, Mark Peck and Greg Larson are the commissioners for Lincoln County.