Let’s agree to agree
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Editor,
This letter concerns the Water Compact. It is also a thank you letter to Mary Stranahan. I enjoyed reading Mary’s opinions in the Valley Journal. I’ve known Mary for more than 30 years. I’ve admired her sincere generosity and willingness to defend the underdog. Mary has doctored family, neighbors, friends and myself when cancer or other tragic circumstances have hit. She has never asked anything for herself. Mary has been at many bedsides assisting families and friends saying their last goodbyes. I know no finer community member than Mary Stranahan.
The CSKT Water Compact, in current form, is tragic. Mary and I agree on one point, a water compact is necessary for everyone’s sake. The current compact however, reeks of greed and threats. It takes away representation for taxpayers and puts an exclusive entity over decisions that will affect all generations to come. Between the lines of Mary’s letter, read the tactical threats being used to “convince” residents of Montana to accept a flawed agreement that contains “more loopholes than any Berber carpet.” Filing water claims, as far east as Billings, means very little. I could file claims in Ekalaka, but I won’t get them. What is the motivation for these threats? Simply put, it is greed. Aren’t threats and ultimatums still considered “hostile” in this community? I can’t believe the taxpayers of Montana will support the flawed “water data,” the threat of the Tribes “calling” peoples water rights on domestic wells, and an extremely flawed agreement. As far as Mary’s point of using water efficiently, well, I’m sure we can all do better in that respect. I know I can. Montana residents need to demand independent economic and environmental studies of the repercussions this proposed compact will have on our communities. Supporting my friends of the CSKT is something I will continue to do. As a non-tribal member, giving away my taxpayer rights that are guaranteed by the State and Federal Constitution certainly do not offer a realistic solution to my irrigation and domestic water needs.
Chris Sullivan
Dixon
