Negotiating shouldn’t be done behind closed doors
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Editor,
On June 26, the compact commission laid out a framework for reopening negotiations on the Flathead Water Compact proposed framework. Their document indicated that the first negotiation session would be held during the first week in July. As of July 31, 2014, there have been no notices of negotiation meetings postponed the compact commission website. But thanks to the report in the Valley Journal, citizens have now learned that the Compact Commission, and by extension, the Governor, intend to have “private negotiations” over the waters of the reservation that belong to the public. Far from being “stewards,” the Montana Water Stewards unwittingly have compromised the entire compact negotiation process by inviting the Compact Commission, Governor, a state representative and senator, and the Attorney General’s office to an invitation-only private meeting. This certainly conveys that the Governor and the Compact Commission are only interested in “negotiating” with proponents of the compact, to the exclusion of the majority of irrigators and the FJBC, the irrigators & #039; representative government, who oppose the continued attempts to ram the compact, the unitary management ordinance and the water use agreement down the throats of Montana citizens. And of course, they continue to convey that this massive over-reaching compact is just about irrigation, taking our eyes off the fact that this compact will affect eleven counties and more than 350,000 people in western Montana. We hope the “stewards” and the Compact Commission keep making mistakes like this.
Natalie Champoux
St. Ignatius
