More opinions on CSKT water compact

PUBLIC INSIGHT concerning Water Compact - Much Needed:

The high pressure attempts to push through the proposed water compact, are becoming increasingly apparent.  The entire issue and process has been rendered confusing with details submerged unobtrusively in this massive document.  

The original intent and purpose of the compact is being lost. . . that of assuring water to meet the needs of a small, select group of people.  Our Montana State Constitution requires provision of water within the state for ”use of (all) its citizens.  No mention is made of distinctions based on race, interior boundaries, or unique forms of government.

The State has actually been reneging on its constitutional protection of its citizens statewide by giving “consent” to a proposed compact procedure authorizing water management by a small committee of non-elected members appointed by State and Tribal Council officials.   

This would allow the current State system of centralized records, regulations and control over water rights protecting equal and fair distribution of water,  to be replaced by rulings unauthorized by the State, and ultimately falling under  jurisdiction of the federal government.

The 1500 pages of proposed Water Compact represent an imposition on our state legislators being called upon to make a wise decision, without adequate time to read or comprehend ramifications of the entire document.  Yet they would be held responsible for the outcome of this “forever”, uncorrectable legislation in the event it passes.   It also would constitute a lasting threat to Montana citizens even as the race distinction continues to dissolve through cultural assimilation and current social changes.  Under its passage the decline in land values, due to manipulation of water availability, would likely funnel private property into undeserving hands including those of the federal government.  The entire developmental process, over more than a 10-year period, has been at tremendous taxpayer expense.  There are other issues more deserving of legislative attention and monetary investment  that are of real concern and interest to citizens.  Montana has an abundance of water already being distributed under an established and well-functioning management system.  This complex questionable “solution to a non-existent problem” simply needs to be disposed of through a NO vote OPPOSING it in its entirety.    

Respectfully submitted,

Clarice Ryan