Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes a water rights compact between the Confederated Salish and Kootenai tribes, the State of Montana, and the United States.

Highlights:

• Establishes a compact that guarantees the following water rights for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes on the Flathead Reservation (Sec. 1):

• To have naturally occurring water sources on the reservation; and

• To have certain off-reservation instream flows to maintain the aquatic environment of the reservation.

• Appropriates $55 million for the following projects associated with the compact (Sec. 1):

• $30 million to offset pumping costs;

• $13 million to aquatic and terrestrial habitat enhancement;

• $4 million for improving on-farm efficiency; and

• $4 million for water measurement activities.

• Establishes the “Flathead Reservation Water Management Board” to be comprised of (Sec. 1):

• 2 members appointed by the Governor;

• 2 members appointed by the Tribal Council; and

• 1 member selected by the other four members.

• Defines “call” as the right of the holder of a water right with a senior priority date and an immediate need for a use of water to prohibit a holder of a water right with a junior priority date to refrain from appropriating water otherwise physically available until the senior water right is “satisfied” (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits the Tribes from making a “call” over the following groups (Sec. 1):

• Those using water for non-irrigation purposes;

• Those using groundwater for irrigation purposes with flow rates of less than or equal to 100 gallons per minute; and

• Those within the Federal Indian Irrigation Plan area as irrigators.

Full Bill Text