Letters to the editor July 17

Politics of lake draw down

It is not surprising or should not be. The draw down of Flathead Lake by Energy Keepers Inc. is irritating and downright disgusting, but it is the inevitable result of the disastrous passage of the CSKT Water Compact. Even though our water levels, while low this year, are well within normal, the draw down is just the start of CSKT flexing their political muscle.

Most people have faith they are immune to the effects of the water compact believing it only affects water inside of reservation borders, which is not true. The compact gives CSKT and the federal government control of most of the water flowing out of the western side of Montana, or in effect, virtually all the Clark Fork and Kootenai River water basins. If you thought your well, your lake water rights, your docks and/or your boating privileges were exempt, you are wrong.

These facts have not been reported by our press to the general public. In fact, right now there are almost 1,100 people or entities which are going through the process to end up in front of the water court to challenge the legitimacy of the compact. If enough negative evidence is presented, the water court can (and should) declare the compact null and void. We still have a chance!

Even though it is too late to formally object to this unprecedented taking, you can help in this fight by becoming educated about this abomination by visiting the Western Montana Water Rights website. Secondly, you can find out people you may know who are formally challenging the compact and help them fund the costs of their attorneys.

Third, you can inform other people of the devastating effects of this tragic piece of legislation.

Finally, you can contact U.S. Sens. Steve Daines and Jon Tester who, in effect, sold Montana down the road and ask them to admit they made a mistake and ask them to work to correct it.

The passage of the water compact, motivated by fear of lawsuits and lots of political lobbying, was just plain flat wrong. The draw down of Flathead Lake for the first time in memory is just the start. It will get much worse in future years and decades to come. It is time to do your studies and become involved. In fact, it is well past time.

— Mark Agather, Kalispell