Guest opinions on water compact; Reverse the costly decision

Flathead Irrigation District should reverse its costly decision.

On April 14, the Flathead Irrigation District board held its first regular meeting since the breakup of the FJCB in December. Based on the agenda and discussion it’s clear that the Flathead Irrigation District (FID) is going down the lawsuit path not only with respect to the compact but also the recent resumption of project management by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA).

The BIA is retaking management control over the project because the FID failed to join the Jocko and Mission districts and sign a revised Cooperative Management Entity agreement that would have maintained local control over project management. One speaker during the meeting cited a number of examples of how BIA bureaucratic procedures are having negative impacts on project operations, maintenance, personnel and costs.

But before the Flathead Irrigation District board challenges the BIA decision in court, it should talk to the BIA to see if it would be possible to reverse the takeover if the FID signed the CME agreement.

Dick Erb,

Moiese