Lake, Missoula counties back compact

County commissioners in Lake and Missoula counties have cast unanimous votes supporting the water rights compact.

Both counties sent letters of support for the compact — as requested by area legislators — to the Legislature’s Water Policy Interim Committee.

Lake County commissioners voted 3-0 late last week while Missoula County commissioners voted Monday, also showing full agreement for sending a letter of support to the committee.

Missoula County Commissioner Michele Landquist said their vote followed more than an hour of public testimony, largely from citizens asking the commissioners to wait and further study the issue.

Landquist said the Missoula County commissioners were first briefed about the compact close to two years ago and have been following the process.

“We’re thinking it’s in the best interest [of our constituents] to have this compact done,” she said.

Landquist added she believes some of the opposition to the compact is “fear-based,” and the agreement will provide crucial funding for improvements to the Flathead Indian Irrigation Project.