Citizens For Fair Water, Inc. (0263125) Public Benefit with Members, registered with the State of Montana, June 16, 2015, as a Type 52 non-profit Montana corporation having one (1) Officer, and three (3) Directors. The current Registered Agent: James Rokosh, with Directors: Bob Cress, Ron Wandler and Shane Brooks.
The following information is a current update concerning the lawsuit filed by Citizens for Fair Water (CFFW) vs. Bitter Root Irrigation District in “Petition/Complaint for Declaratory Judgment Action” (Lawsuit) filed October 06, 2015 by Tuholske Law Office, P.C. representing Plaintiff and Petitioner Citizens for Fair Water, Inc. (Cause No. DV-15-382/1, Dept. 1) vs The Bitter Root Board of Commissioners (BRID).
BRID Irrigators – The lawsuit is still in litigation. The following information presented is simply a reminder to all as to “who is who” and to reveal to all irrigators the cost of said suit.
The cost indicated here does not include the possibility of the BRID Irrigators being held responsible for attorney fees from Citizens For Fair Water.
Legal Defense Fees accrued from August 2015 to June 2017 levied on BRID water users by the actions of Citizens For Fair Water (CFFW)! Total to date: $118,557.81. At this ten seconds of time, this could be viewed as costing each irrigator around $84.30.
It is estimated that we could look for a ruling from Judge Haynes around the middle of August 2017.
Considering work yet to be completed, the fact that we do not yet know the Legal Fees of Citizens For Fair Water (CFFW), and determination of Judge Haynes ruling possibly in August of 2017, BRID irrigator cost may at least double!
Cary Hays
Stevensville
Jason says
Cary,
You might want to check your math. Even if the total cost to BRID was 200K it would only be $12 per acre for one year–an increase of about a third (not “at least double”). Also remember that the folks on the 3-mile system would (about 20+% of acres) would also be paying this.
The point is not what it would cost, if BRID loses this case it will be because they were in the wrong and were trying to pull a fast one on the 3-mile users. It was BRID’s decision to fight this litigation despite their lack of evidence.
If BRID loses the case then cost is beside the point. They were wrong. Clearly this is not an open and shut case or BRID could have gotten it dismissed.