Negotiating teams for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, the State of Montana, and the United States have completed a revised draft of a proposed water right compact.
However, a copy of the draft is not yet publicly available.
A Montana Department of Natural Resources & Conservation press release says: "For copies of the public review draft of the Revised Compact and associated documents please check the RWRCC website during the week of January 5, 2015"
A message on that website says: "Thank you for your interest in the proposed water rights compact between the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes and the State of Montana. Revised compact language is currently be [sic] drafted and will be posted soon. Please check back for updates."
A DNR Spokesman says the draft "won't be available until January 8."
The parties have scheduled public meetings to inform stakeholders and the public, answer questions and solicit comments on the revised draft.
Two meetings are scheduled for January 9, 2015, at the Ronan Performing Arts Center in Ronan, Mont. There will be a 4 p.m. meeting to discuss on-Reservation irrigators, followed by a 7 p.m. meeting for the general public.
A 9 a.m. meeting will take place January 10, 2015, at the Hilton Garden Inn, 1840 Hwy 93 South, in Kalispell, for all interested parties.
For more information, call (406) 444-5700
