HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-27-16 C5. Res. 4700 - CSKT Water Compact
Commission Memorandum
REPORT TO: Honorable Mayor and City Commission
FROM: Craig Woolard, Director of Public Works
SUBJECT: Adoption of Resolution 4700 supporting ratification of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Water Compact.
AGENDA ITEM TYPE: Consent
MEETING DATE: June 27, 2016
RECOMMENDED MOTION: I hereby move to adopt Resolution 4700 that declares the City
of Bozeman’s support for ratification of the CSKT Water Compact.
KEY ISSUES: The 64th Legislature of the State of Montana passed Senate Bill 262 which created the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) Water Compact (the Compact).
This negotiated agreement defines the CSKT federally reserved water rights. The City of
Bozeman supported Montana Senate Bill 262 (see attached letter). Compact ratification is now
required by the United States Congress. The attached resolution declares City Commission support for Congressional ratification of the
Compact. As senior water rights holders in the Gallatin Valley, ratification of the Compact
provides resolution to long standing water rights issues and allows the City of avoid the
potentially lengthy and expensive legal action to defend the City’s water rights. RECOMMENDATION: Adopt Resolution No. 4700. Adoption of the Resolution as written will establish the City of Bozeman’s support for Congressional ratification of the Compact.
FISCAL EFFECTS: None ALTERNATIVES: As suggested by the City Commission.
Attachments: Resolution 4700
February 25,2015 letter of support for passing Montana Senate Bill 262.
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Resolution 4700 Page 1 of 2
COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 4700 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BOZEMAN,
MONTANA, ESTABLISHING SUPPORT OF CONGRESSIONAL RATIFICATION OF
THE CONFEDERATED SALISH AND KOOTENAI TRIBES WATER COMPACT.
WHEREAS, Montana’s water is one of our state’s most valuable resources,
WHEREAS, the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes (“CSKT”) are required by state law to
seek definition of their federally reserved water rights, either through the compacting process or
through litigation,
WHERAS, the CSKT Water Compact (“Compact”) is a negotiated agreement, which protects
existing water right holders while defining the federally reserved water rights of the CSKT,
WHEREAS, additional backlog in the Montana Water Court will be prevented through
ratification of the Compact,
WHEREAS, the Compact provides certainty for landowners, farmers, ranchers, and irrigators
across Montana—including water users in the City of Bozeman and the Gallatin Valley—by
preventing decades of costly litigation,
WHEREAS, the Compact will provide for substantial investment in critical irrigation
infrastructure, including much needed upgrades and repairs to neglected water delivery systems,
WHEREAS, ratification of the Compact would have significant cost savings for Montana
taxpayers and the City of Bozeman through preventing long term litigation,
WHEREAS, implementation of the Compact will generate jobs and economic activity in our
state,
WHEREAS, the Compact is a fair and reasonable agreement through which a complex issue is
resolved in a way that will benefit all Montanans,
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Resolution 4700 Page 2 of 2
WHEREAS, ratification of the Compact will allow the issue of defining the federally reserved
rights of the CSKT to be settled as good neighbors,
Be it resolved that the City Commission of Bozeman supports the ratification of the CSKT Water
Compact, the certainty, economic opportunity, and the investment in irrigation infrastructure that
it will provide.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Commission of the City of Bozeman, Montana, at a regular session thereof held on the June 27, 2016.
___________________________________
CARSON TAYLOR Mayor ATTEST:
________________________________________
ROBIN CROUGH City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
___________________________________
GREG SULLIVAN City Attorney
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