What tribes settled water rights in Montana?
After decades of negotiations, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) have finalized a $1.9 billion water rights settlement that resolves thousands of tribal claims tied to waterways throughout western Montana.
Does the CSKT have to relinquish water rights?
Although the compact requires CSKT to relinquish thousands of off -reservation water rights claims , the final agreement received broad support from both the tribes and many of the non-Native water users who rely on rivers that flow through tribal lands in Montana.
What tribes settled water rights in Montana?
After decades of negotiations, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) have finalized a $1.9 billion water rights settlement that resolves thousands of tribal claims tied to waterways throughout western Montana.
Does the CSKT have to relinquish water rights?
Although the compact requires CSKT to relinquish thousands of off -reservation water rights claims , the final agreement received broad support from both the tribes and many of the non-Native water users who rely on rivers that flow through tribal lands in Montana.
What is the Administration's commitment to working with the Tribes and other settlement parties?
The Administration is committed to working with the Tribes and other settlement parties to reach a final and fair settlement of the Tribe’s water rights claims. The Administration is committed to working with Congress and all parties concerned in developing settlement legislation that the Administration can fully support.
What are the tribal disputes?
There have been extensive and bitter disputes over the Tribes’ water rights and resources dating back a century. These longstanding conflicts can be traced directly to Congressional actions in the early 20th Century. From 1855 to 1904 the Tribes enjoyed the exclusive use of the Flathead Reservation. This included the initiation of irrigated farming by Tribal members. Pressures for non-tribal settlement of lands within the Reservation began to mount, however, and in the 1904 Flathead Allotment Act, Congress, over the objections of the Tribes, directed the allotment of Tribal land to individual Indians and authorized the disposal of additional “surplus” unalloted Tribal land for non-Indian homestead entry.
How much money would be authorized under S. 3013?
S. 3013 would authorize approximately $2.3 billion of federal funds and provide for the waiver of CSKT water and damages claims. The following accounts would be established:
Is Montana in the process of adjudicating water rights?
Montana is in the process of adjudicating water rights throughout the state. It was clear to Montana representatives and most water users on the Reservation that at the end of a long and expensive process, the non-Indian rights would be junior to the Tribes and and their water supplies could be shut off to meet the Tribes’ instream flow rights. The Tribes also had a number of senior water rights claims throughout Montana that created uncertainty about future water uses.