Landowners invited to register existing water uses
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News form DNRC
FLATHEAD RESERVATION — Landowners within the Flathead Reservation were recently notified of the opportunity to register certain types of previously unrecorded existing water uses until March 16, 2022. The ‘Effective Date’ of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) – Montana Compact (the “Compact”) is Sept. 17, 2021, when it was signed by the US Secretary of the Interior.
The signing of the Compact by the Secretary of the Interior initiates a 180-day period in which landowners within the boundaries of the Flathead Reservation may file previously unrecorded state-based water uses. Also during this time, the Flathead Reservation Water Management Board is being formed to administer and manage water rights within the Reservation, per the Compact. Two members of the Board will be appointed by Governor Gianforte, two by CSKT, and a fifth chosen by the other four members. The Board, in turn, will establish the Office of the Engineer, which will be the professional staff managing the day-to-day operational work of the Board.
“After more than a decade of discussion and negotiations between the tribes, the state, legislators, and stakeholders, we are now ready to take the next step of solidifying more water certainty for residents and a clear process to lead us into the future,” said DNRC Director Amanda Kaster.
Concurrent with the Compact, the State and the Tribes codified the “Unitary Administration and Management Ordinance,” which is the law that will be implemented by the Board and exclusively governs future water right administration on the Reservation. The Ordinance allows certain previously unrecorded state-based water uses (i.e., uses which were put to use on or before 9/17/2021 but for which a water right has not been previously issued by Montana DNRC) to be registered with the Board. The deadline for registering these uses is March 16, 2022.
During the 180-day registration period, the State, through the DNRC, will accept registration forms, which will be transmitted to the Board for processing once it is operational. Recognizing the Board’s role in the administration of water rights moving forward, DNRC will not process the registration forms.
For assistance or more information, see DNRC’s CSKT Water Compact website or contact Water Resources Regional Offices: Kalispell Regional Office, 406-752-2288; or Missoula Regional Office, 406-721-4284.
