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Irrigators can’t afford to reject compact

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Editor,

We are irrigators in the Jocko Valley who favor the (proposed irrigation water) agreement. We endorse the sentiments of the CKST Chairman (see the Feb. 6 Valley Journal) and Mary Stranahan. 

The issues have been debated at length. The Western Montana Water Users Association’s case against the agreement offers little if the agreement is voted down. They suggest that the state government will take over and adjudicate water rights when the FJBC sunsets in July. Both irrigators and the CSKT will be required to verify their rights to receive water.  A new process will replace the compact commission, and we will go back to square one - or worse. The tribal chairman states that CSKT will initiate legal action if the agreement fails. There is no assurance that whatever emerges from this new process will be better for irrigators, both in the amount of water and in rights secured. Funds would be unlikely for supporting improvements in the irrigation systems generally and for assistance to individual irrigators who seek to increase the efficiency of their systems. In this scenario, we would not be working together as neighbors to preserve and enhance the land that we share. 

The legal costs associated with a rejection of the agreement will be borne by irrigators directly in the form of contributions to WMWUA’s legal expenses and by payments to FJBC to cover its legal costs and/or indirectly through state and federal taxes to cover government legal expenses. Dick Erb raises several important questions on this issue (Jan. 30 Valley Journal).  

The uncertainty from a failed agreement will discourage investment in agriculture and could depress property values. We will lose the state funding that could help modernize our irrigation systems; ensure compliance with the endangered species act; and strengthen the viability of farming in our area. Extra water charges to cover the liabilities of the FJBC and FIIP expenses could put some irrigators out of business. We urge other irrigators to vote, as we will, for the agreement. 

Elon Gilbert, Jerry McGahan and Joe Weydt 

Jocko Valley

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