Daines focused on valley issues at brunch here

POLSON — Republican Steve Daines represents the entire state in Congress but he is focused on issues that affect his Mission Valley constituents during his Saturday visit to Polson.

Daines met with more than 145 Republicans at the Lake County Republican Women’s brunch and meet-and-greet at the VFW, then spoke at the Montana Logging Association’s Annual Meeting at noon at the Best Western Plus KwaTaqNuk Resort.

Though his brunch speech was broader and focused on Montana issues such as the Keystone Pipeline he also spoke about local issues.

WATER COMPACT

Though the Flathead Irrigation Project’s compact and water use agreement are not at the federal level yet, Daines is monitoring the issue.

“It’s not come to us yet but we need to make sure the state, the tribe and the (irrigators) are still talking,” he said. “They are working toward a solution that will benefit everyone in the community.”

The compact is designed to stabilize the rights to water for the tribes and non-tribal members in the Mission Valley. But some irrigators, prodded by what some call outside interests, have resisted ratifying the compact, stalling the process.

KERR DAM

Daines said sale of the Kerr Dam could have a negative affect on the valley’s economy.

“It could have a significant impact on budgets and tax revenues on our communities here,” he said. “If it does reduce (tax revenues), we will have to look at new sources of revenues for the county and cities.”

After a three-decade negotiation settled by arbitrators, it was announced on March 5 that the CSKT will purchase the Kerr Dam for $18.3 million. Dam owner PPL Montana asked for $49 million.

Tribal members, who believe nature should not be harnessed in such a way, opposed construction of the dam before it was built in 1938 on the Flathead River about 7 miles south of Polson. Tribal officials must provide a formal notice to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and hope to start operating the dam by September, 2015.

KEYSTONE PIPELINE

Though the Keystone Pipline would run through Eastern Montana, it would have a major impact on the entire state including the Mission Valley, Daines said.

If approved by federal regulators, the pipeline would enter the United States in northeast Montana and travel the height of the state with an “onramp” in the city of Baker on Highway 94, Daines said. The “onramp” would allow regional drillers to inject 100,000 barrels of crude into the pipeline every day, he said.

Daines said Canadian officials approved the pipeline project in seven months while it’s taken the Obama administration seven years. The issue is stalled while waiting for Senate approval.

“A pipeline is the safest, most efficient and environmentally friendly way to ship oil,” Daines said. “This project would have a ripple affect on our (state) economy. Projects like this are very important for Montana. They create high-paying jobs that supply tax money for schools and infrastructure.”

He believes it would also lower fuel prices.

“We need to keep more made-in-Montana and Made-in-the-US energy to reduce our reliance on the Middle East,” he said.

Daines hosted three young honorees at the brunch.

Sharidan Russell, a Leader editorial employee, was one of two Montana high school students selected for the United States Senate Youth Program.

Daines nominated Tel Motichka and Cash Sisler to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and both were accepted.

The United States Naval Academy in Annapolis also accepted Motichka.