A reality based independent journal of observation & analysis, serving the Flathead Valley & Montana since 2006. © James Conner.
Montana’s Republican dominated House of Representatives is where opponents of the CSKT water compact, approval of which depends on the passage of SB-262, hope and plan to kill the agreement. The first round of fireworks commences in the House’s judiciary committee this morning with a hearing beginning at 1000 MDT. The hearing may be televised and video-streamed.
Two Flathead representatives, Democrat Zac Perry (HD-3, map) and Republican Keith Regier, (HD-4, map) sit on the panel.
Expect a contentious hearing, with plenty of emotional testimony. I would not be surprised if there are assertions that approval of the compact will give tribal members the right to cross private lands to gain access to rivers on which they have instream flow rights. Nor do I expect opponents of the compact to remain silent about the Flathead Republican Party’s complaint that the CSKT engaged in improper lobbying, although that complaint really has no bearing on the substance of SB-262.
If possible, I’ll watch the hearing and report back later today.
I continue to believe that the compact will, and should, be approved, but I think it will be a close vote given the intensity with which local Republicans and non-Indian irrigators within the reservation oppose the agreement.
