Supports CSKT compact

It takes a great deal to stand up for what you believe in and what is right for Montana — especially when the issue pertains to our states most valuable resource, our water.

The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes water Compact is a bi-partisan agreement that settles federally reserved tribal water rights and protects existing water rights from litigation. While the benefits of passing the compact are many, the alternative would negatively impact all Montanans.

Without the Compact, the Tribes have to file in Montana Water Court to define their water rights — that means filing where they have historical claims to water used in their aboriginal territory, which isn't just in western Montana. In fact, the Tribes have rights along the upper Yellowstone and Musselshell rivers.

By supporting the compact, Sen. Doug Kary, R-Billings, is standing up for the people of Billings and water users across Montana. Sen. Kary’s vote to support the compact was a vote to protect farmers, ranchers, and irrigators from decades of costly litigation that would have burdened individual water users, as well as Montana taxpayers with millions of dollars in legal costs.

I commend Sen. Kary for taking the time to carefully evaluate the impact that not passing the compact would have on our state. He is truly looking out for small business owners and family farm and ranch operations across the state.

Bruce MacIntyre

Government Affairs Director

Billings Chamber of Commerce