State-based claims honored
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Editor,
The dialog around the CSKT compact has become ugly and jaded. Many letters to the editor are full of hate and discussions are much less than civil. At meetings there is innuendo that there are back door deals and special favors.
Since that divisive attack is many times directed at our farm I think it should be laid to rest.
There are no special deals for anyone in the compact. That is the best part of it. Everyone is treated equally. In some cases better than equal because if the tribe went through the normal adjudication process that every other stated-based water right holder was required to do, they would file on all water they believed they have a right to. It is clear that they believe they own all the water on, under and running through the reservation.
In the compact all state-based water users go through the adjudication process without the tribe making that claim. State-based water claims are honored as they are adjudicated in the Montana Water Court.
To make it even more fair, the compact puts in place the Unitary Management Ordinance which requires all new water and changes of use on the reservation to go through the same process. Imagine what it would be like if we have the dual process that is included in other tribal compacts. On four of them the basins are closed so there are no new water rights for non-tribal members. That kind of deal would stymie growth of our communities.
We all defend what we believe is ours. The tribe is no different. In the compact they have made concessions that keep our communities whole and vital. If we end up in court expect them to vigorously defend the rights they believe to be theirs.
Susan Lake
Ronan
