People on the reservation are well aware of the mind-set and objectives of certain tribal council members, water compact commissioners and key group of supporters. This same attitude, if extended beyond reservation boundaries, constitutes a real threat emanating basically from a small group of perpetrators seeking power and control. The bulk of our population is oblivious to how the impact of this CSKT water compact could extend significantly to off-reservation non-agricultural urban dwellers. City water supply systems are basically the same concept as an irrigation well and distribution system . . . only larger. In spite of documented and proven unique abundance this “water grab” constitutes a massive “land” grab. Limiting water allocation reduces productivity with decline in profitability and land value. Meanwhile taxes are ongoing and even increase until land owners with declining income desperately attempt to sell out, often to non-taxpaying buyers. As private property is sold off, overall economy declines, leaving fewer tax-paying land owners to support schools, highways and community services.
The CSKT tribal Constitution states the objective of reclaiming “their” lands. Apparently this doesn’t exclude off-reservation private property acquisition. Tribal land holdings become federal lands held in trust. The proposed compact stipulates that property be held in partnership with FW&P. It has become apparent that this and other federal agencies are more interested in protecting wildlife and open spaces than farming, ranching or timber harvest. Government in general is in constant quest (tax-free) of increased wilderness, habitat expansion and protection, and even the launching of the long discussed dream of a several-state buffalo commons. As land is removed from production and placed in tax-free status county tax bases erode, growth declines and operational financial burdens transfer to existing populations and businesses.
It all comes around to the fact that we simply must pay close attention to current water compact legislation developing in Helena, being pressured to quickly force through a forever document with scant chance ever of controversial corrections or modifications, very likely leading to lengthy, costly litigation. Increasing environmental restrictions on agriculture are already handicapping food production industries. Meanwhile the bulk of the population and voters should become aware of how declining property values and general economy cannot help but ultimately impact all citizens. Wake up, Montana! Urge our state legislators to vote against this very threatening, deliberately planned, massive piece of legislation. Instead an alternative simple straight-forward plan could provide proper (and fair) allocation of essential water for the reservation where citizens (native and non-native alike) are already constitutionally assured of water. Under the state Constitution the State owns the water and is responsible for distribution and use. Let’s retain proper already established procedure and accountabilities by our own state officials. Why force through total upheaval switching complete control by a very small, unaccountable group claiming their own separate, untouchable form of government to fix a problem that doesn’t even exist? Yet!
Clarice Ryan
Bigfork