Lake County initiates withdrawal from law enforcement agreement

The Lake County Board of Commissioners sent a certified letter to Gov. Greg Gianforte on Monday, formally announcing their intention to withdraw from Public Law 280, the nearly 60-year-old agreement that gives the state jurisdiction over felonies committed by tribal members on the reservation.

It’s a move that promises to reshape law enforcement in Lake County.

At the same time, commissioners announced their decision to appeal a recent district court ruling in the matter to the Montana Supreme Court.