LETTER: Bottling plant's water use not same as farmers'

Sorry, but I’m growing tired of Lew Weaver and the proposed Montana Artesian Bottling Company’s habit of trying to compare the bottling of water for export to farmers’ irrigation wells. This has nothing to do with acre-feet of water used, and everything to do with “need” and “want.”

Mr. Weaver has gone on a media frenzy to convince valley residents that his use of our water is no different than area farmers’ use. Nothing could be further from the truth! We, the residents opposed to this kind of use of our resource, fully support our farmers and take issue with this comparison. Our farmers use their water allocations only when there is need. They irrigate maybe three months a year and only when it’s dry, allowing the aquifer to recharge the rest of the year.

This company’s proposed water use must be considered as an irreversible contract for our future water in the total amount applied for, regardless of its future availability. The department of natural resources does not have the ability in times of drought to stop this water right from being used, even in the case of wells going dry. It is up to those affected to hire lawyers and enter the legal system to stop this plant’s 24-hours-a-day, 365-days-a-year use of our water.

Lew Weaver wants (not needs) the water to make lots of money, but with little benefit or thought to the rest of us, and all the problems and risks we will be asked to endure.

As a community, we need our farmers. Imagine our valley without any farmland. We don’t have to tell Flathead residents the benefits of farming and ranching. Who doesn’t look forward to the greening of the winter wheat in the spring, and the golden waves being harvested in the fall?

With numerous benefits throughout the economic chain, it is essential to maintain farmers’ water rights as long as they are able and willing to farm or ranch. We as a community should be addressing our future needs for this resource, and do whatever we can to maintain its abundance in the future. —Steve Harvey, Kalispell