Newly elected irrigation commissioners not to blame
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I would like to take a moment to correct some misconceptions that have been spreading as fact to the respectful members of our communities.
Over the last year, four commissioners of their respective irrigation districts felt it to be in our best interest to dismantle the FJBC by whatever means necessary, and in doing so, caused what we refer to as the CME to cease in existence. Remaining commissioners of the respective districts had no responsibility in the loss of the CME and/or the recent BIA turnover — not to mention the damage sustained to multiple families by their employment loss — other than rejecting an ultimatum received by the BIA regarding the project operation terms. Very specific laws were violated by these commissioners and/or their advisors, and the Mission and Jocko Irrigation Districts teetered on the edge of bankruptcy due to poor decision making in the haste to move forward with dismantling the FJBC and accepting a compact against the voices of their irrigators. The current elected district commissioners intend to heal the community by encouraging unity among its members and by reforming. In doing so, this action will bring an accountability and equal participation to the surrounding counties as well as hopefully a respectful position in upcoming negotiations as an elected voice of the irrigators.
Many of the remaining MID/FID commissioners have been painted in an unfavorable light by recent actions of these four commissioners and their supporters, even going as far as slandering their individual character. These allegations are unfounded and false not to mention counterproductive. The soon-to-be commissioners of the new FJBC are in all definition “pro-negotiation,” not the ugly terminology recently used and printed, “anti-compact,” only wanting to ensure that every family and the acreage they tend daily is fairly represented in the upcoming water use agreement and compact. No outside organization to include the Western Montana Water Users or the Concerned Citizens of Montana, is what the public is referring to as “pulling the strings” of your current board members. Most of these gentlemen are longtime residents and ranchers within our communities and are working fiercely on your guidance with little compensation but to know that you and your family will continue to thrive for generations to come. These commissioners are your neighbors and the same people you greet across fence lines every day, and it is my strong opinion that they are trying to represent our community as a whole. At the end of the day, let us try to remember that even in disagreement, we are still a community that depends on one another. Attend an irrigation meeting, read the current version of the compact and ask your commissioners the hard questions. Let’s turn the lights on — no more secret meetings and hidden agendas. If you disagree, be the respectful opposition. Present your information and opinions. Participate in negotiating an agreement that will be truly fair for all parties.
