The Montana Legislature is holding a special weekend hearing Saturday for the hundreds expected to come to speak their mind on the Salish Kootenai water compact. If passed, the compact would outline water rights on and around the Flathead Reservation.
Opponents fear losing their usual water use and the option of growing that water use later. Others fear the power the tribe would hold over those rights.
Proponents argue historical water rights would be guaranteed and the option to grow is still available.
The bill’s Republican sponsor, Senator Chas Vincent of Libby, says he’s happy to have another long hearing.
“While it has been a long time awaiting for this hearing, I think it is going to be good for the bill and the process because people have more time to digest what is a lot of information that has been thrown at them.”
The hearing should start around 10:00 a.m. Saturday at the Capitol.