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What about city wells?

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Editor, 

The proposed water rights agreement which is scheduled to go to the state legislature in 2013 does not seem to address wells the DNRC (state) permitted the City of Polson that were subject to a negotiated decision with the Salish and Kootenai Tribes. The Supreme Court told the state in 1996 and 1999 to stop issuing water permits on the reservation. However, in 1998, the DNRC issued water permits for two wells west of the Flathead River and in 2000 permitted two wells south of Hillcrest Drive with subject to clauses. The record shows city officials made decisions concerning water capacity and water infrastructure without transparency. I believe decisions lacking transparency have resulted in a seriously compromised local government. One such decision lacking transparency involves the $1.2 million pipeline which lies on the river bed bringing water from west of the Flathead River to the east side of the river where most of the population of the city resides. The pipeline was not disclosed as being temporary and revocable. The issue is who negotiated with the tribes for the temporary pipeline, and are such negotiations required by law to be transparent and open to discussion? Other questions might be what consideration was negotiated in exchange for the temporary pipeline, and did those involved in negotiations have a conflict of interest in the outcome?

Water is basic to citizen’s health, safety and welfare. The public has a right to know if agreements concerning its use and delivery carry an element of risk. State law requires public notice of decisions the city council will be addressing at council meetings, and public participation gives citizens the right to offer opinions about issues under consideration. Existing residents and those buying or building a home in Polson have a right to be informed about water capacity and troublesome infrastructure issues. My concern, addressed in this letter, is if the city’s water wells aren’t negotiated in the agreement going to the state legislature in 2013, how does the city propose to address this water rights issue? 

Margie Hendricks                       

Polson

 

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