Problems could be resolved by sitting down together
Hey savvy news reader! Thanks for choosing local.
You are now reading
1 of 3 free articles.
Editor,
I read with interest and dismay articles in the recent (July 28 and Aug. 4) Valley Journal concerning the ongoing conflict between Lake County Commissioners and Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes regarding the irrigation project and related issues. From what I can tell, the conflict is one sided, with commissioners poking at the tribe without much attempt to clear up or resolve questions regarding jurisdictions, collection of fees and so on. I realize the county has concerns with the tribe, much based on tax issues, but right or wrong, good or bad, it is what it is and the commissioners are not going to make anything better by stirring the pot.
When the MWRPA was in the works I did a lot of research and talked to a lot of people at the state and federal level. I went to local meetings. What I found out was that the commissioners were either knowingly spreading disinformation or at least not refuting the local rumors. The main ones being that “the government” was giving all the state land in the reservation to the tribe and that the tribe was going to put meters on your domestic wells. No idea if this was intentional or just ignorant information.
The irrigation issue is a “biggie,” and I am an irrigator. Much infrastructure repair is needed, but the commissioners not dealing with associated culverts and bridge issues is in direct conflict with what Bill Barron told me one day in his office in December of 2019, along the lines that if the tribe was to work on those repairs they would impede traffic, not give notice that those roads were closed for repair and so on. Seems to me that one solution would be for the tribe to contract with the county for some of this work if it is determined that it is the tribes responsibility.
Many problems can be resolved by sitting down and hashing it out between both parties. Innovative solutions can be resolved with some brainstorming but not by poking at each other.
Vicky MacLean
Ronan
