Informed opinions helpful in explaining compact
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Editor,
We have all been hearing a lot lately about the water compact and the management of the water project. We have been reading letters to the editor in the local newspapers as well as guest columns from different politicians, groups and individuals concerning the water. Most of the articles have been odious in nature. In fact, some articles have gotten off the beaten path of the water issues to disparage our people on the Flathead Indian Reservation, but I have also read well-written letters from our neighbors; mostly from families who have lived on the reservation for years. I know most of the family names and people; some support the compact, and some don’t. I still respect their views, as no two people think the same. Some want to argue the issues that they have no right to. These people should have been involved in the beginning of the compact negotiations.
For sure, the compact has caused hard feelings as to who will control irrigation and water use, domestic, agricultural and quantitative measurement applications. Or some people just want to air their hatred for the tribes and the treaty of Hellgate.
Through the years, the tribe and water users have had their differences concerning the litigation of the water on the reservation and in the end; large scarce amounts of money were spent for attorney fees to litigate a treaty obligation. In this case, there should be no reason to go to court over the compact.
I fear the tradeoff that this compact will bring to our people and what the future will hold for our descendants in 100 years or so — will there be plenty of water for all living things? The water should be quantified on and off the reservation. To those writers who stuck to the issues and facts of the negotiations, thank you for teaching me.
Britton W. Salois
Pablo
