CSKT step closer to Kerr Dam purchase
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PABLO — It took years of discussion and even arbitration, but the purchase price of Kerr Dam has been set at $18,289,798, according to Ronald Trahan, tribal chairman for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.
PPL Montana started out asking $49.4 million for the dam with the CSKT offering $14.7 million.
The America Arbitration Association made the final ruling March 3 — roughly 29 years after the tribes fought for the right to acquire the dam.
“We had our day in court, and the deal we made in 1985 was honored in the binding decision made by the majority of the arbitration panel,” said Brian Lipscomb, CEO of Energy Keepers, Inc., the tribal corporation handling the acquisition of Kerr Dam.
The arbitration decision paves the way for the CSKT to exercise their option to purchase the dam in 2015 without any further action on their part. In doing so, they will become the first tribes in the nation to own and operate a major hydropower facility.
To keep the deal on track, the CSKT will provide formal notice to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission that they intend to acquire Kerr Dam on Sept. 5, 2015.
Tribal Councilperson Lloyd Irvine said the CSKT have been titled as visionary people, always looking ahead to the future.
Trahan agreed.
“We honor all the ancestors that had the vision. They weren’t agreeable (with Kerr Dam), but they saw potential. We also honor the tribal councils who set aside funds for the purchase,” Trahan said.
“It’s a historic day in the hearts of the Salish, Kootenai and Pend d’Oreille people.”
