Individuals capable of looking beyond immediate ramifications of how this proposed Salish and Kootenai water compact will affect themselves personally, can see the possibility of a water control scheme.  

There is urgency for certain motivated people operating in their own interests to get this legislation passed. Land without water is of little value. The law of supply and demand will lead to cheap land becoming readily available. When irrigation water becomes limited, for any reason, productive revenues and potential land salability both decline but property taxes continue. Seasonal droughts are understandable, but water supply controlled by a very few people gaining control and manipulating distribution feeds favoritism. 

Constitutionally, the water is a state responsibility. When that is transferred to a five-member board on the reservation, the economic security of landowners as well as the economy of the state is in jeopardy. Add to that the tax-free advantages and the take-over of Kerr Dam and the water stored behind it. Private lakefront properties, docks, and even public recreation would become subject to potential new regulations.  

To what extent would there be federal or even state influence and control? This compact is a “forever” document immune to corrections/modifications. At this very late date public comment will be of little significance for the supposedly “revised” compact scheduled for legislative action. —Clarice Ryan, Bigfork