LETTER: Reader believes Krueger favors bottling plant

In my opinion. Commissioner Krueger is clearly predisposed to vote in favor of the water bottling plant. He appears to  have made up his mind before hearing from the public.

On Monday morning, Aug. 1, (that evening the hearing in Creston was held) I hand-delivered a letter (published in the Daily Inter Lake on Aug. 11) to each of the commissioners.

Mr. Krueger glanced at  my letter and told me that Mr. Weaver had every right to pump water for his bottling plant. “This comes under “consumption” same as Plum Creek and golf courses. The amount is insignificant. My son uses that much for irrigating his land”

 I tried to tell Commissioner Krueger that Mr. Weaver had a water right for domestic use, and that his son might perhaps have a water right for irrigation but not for selling water and that this issue was vastly different. I also told him that based on my internet research, there was no other water bottling plant in the state of Montana, thus this would set a precedent and should be addressed by the Legislature.

Mr. Krueger interrupted me and informed me that I was wrong and that this would not be the first bottling plant in Montana. “Furthermore, you know nothing about Montana water law, and I do. I will vote for the bottling plant if it comes before the commissioners and that will probably cost me a few votes.” End of discussion. —Elsa Putzier, Bigfork