Tribes say water settlement will trigger new jobs, growth, critical irrigation projects
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News from the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes
PABLO – Legislation recently introduced by Senator Tester will not only bring certainty to Montana water users, but will be a boon to the state and local economy, according to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. The legislation, which will ratify the CSKT Water Compact passed by the Montana State Legislature and settle the claims of the Tribes against the federal government, will substantially contribute to the state economy by creating jobs and funding critical infrastructure and water delivery projects. “This legislation will not only benefit the Tribes, but all Montanans,” said Tribal Chairman Vernon Finley. “The settlement will bring infrastructure development and economic opportunity to our state and Tribal nations -- supporting thousands of jobs in the process.” In an economic analysis of the proposed legislation, Cascade Economics concluded that through the federal investment in the restoration of wetlands, conservation, water delivery system maintenance and rehabilitation the proposal would create 6,330 jobs and generate $52.9 million in recurring, annual economic activity in Montana. Based on the proposed legislation, the Compact will directly fund more than 130 permanent jobs on the reservation and will indirectly fund 500 permanent and 5,700 temporary jobs. Funding provided by the federal settlement would be allocated to funding hundreds of projects in each of the following areas: —Rehabilitation of the Flathead Indian Irrigation Project Funding relative to the FIIP will include rehabilitation, modernization, and restoration of resources that have been damaged as a result of negligence and poor management. —Implementation of the CSKT Water Compact This legislation will ratify and provide funding for the implementation of the CSKT Water Compact. The provisions of the Compact will be funded through the establishment of a Salish and Kootenai Compact Fund. The amount appropriated through the federal settlement legislation will provide for all financial needs associated with implementation of the Compact, so no annual appropriation would be necessary. —Agricultural Development The federal government has largely ignored its trust responsibility to manage Tribal agricultural resources. The legislation introduced by Sen. Tester will in part be allocated to the formation of an Agricultural Development Account, which will be used to construct and improve livestock fencing on reservation lands, control the spread of noxious weeds, construct improvements to irrigation systems, and install screens or other barriers to prevent fish entrainment. —Community Development Funds approved by the settlement will be used to establish a Community Development Account that will be utilized to provide education services and support language centers on the Flathead Reservation. —Economic
