![[Left to right] Flathead Indian Irrigation Project Acting Manager Nick Belcourt, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribe Hydrologist Shane Hendrickson and Acting Water Master for the Flathead Irrigation District Koshon Lacounte field questions from farmers during a meeting in Lonepine on April 29, 2026. (Hannah Shields/Daily Inter Lake)](https://hagadone.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/photos/2026/05/21/FarmersMeeting_t1170.JPG?5cc718665ab672dba93d511ab4c682bb370e5f86)
[Left to right] Flathead Indian Irrigation Project Acting Manager Nick Belcourt, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribe Hydrologist Shane Hendrickson and Acting Water Master for the Flathead Irrigation District Koshon Lacounte field questions from farmers during a meeting in Lonepine on April 29, 2026. (Hannah Shields/Daily Inter Lake)
April 29, 2026
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May 22, 2026 12:05 a.m.
Tribal project farmers in Hot Springs protest fee increase amid diminishing water supply
Farmers in the Hot Springs area of Sanders County are protesting their third fee increase from the Flathead Indian Irrigation Project in less than five years as they struggle to pull enough water for their crops.