Irrigators adopt new negotiation strategy

ST. IGNATIUS – The FJBC commissioners, facing a closed door, chose to open another.

With the recent resignation of long-term attorney, Jon Metropoulos, Bruce Fredrickson, from the Kalvig Law Firm, offered FJBC commissioners a “strategic plan with teeth” for irrigators in three counties.

FJBC Chairman Boone Cole supported Fredrickson’s proposed plan of action.

“Our goal is to either negotiate what we hope will be a good compact or stop a bad one in its tracks,” Cole said. “This is our direction.”

Fredrickson believes board members need to make public comments at every public speaking event possible.

“We as a board could benefit from a new perspective,” Commissioner Bruce White said. “We may not have an official seat at the negotiation table, but we will be there just the same. This board has done a lot of good over the previous year and with our new legal representation and strategic direction, our legal position on the Compact will have no choice but to be heard.”

Commissioners reviewed the request from Metropoulos to be retained in a limited capacity such as lobbyist for the FJBC, but declined his request.

“The real issue is trust.” White said. “Actions over the previous months make me think that we have been given a real opportunity to do things differently on every front.”

In multiple meetings over the last week, Commissioners wasted no time addressing what they consider to be crucial issues such as local Flathead Irrigation and Power Project management.

“I would like to see a monthly accounting of all project operations to include financial reports, repair strategies, reservoir levels and in-stream flow requirements,” commissioner Tim Orr said. “In 2014 we had the most phenomenal amount of water historically recorded and prior to start of irrigation season, the reservoirs were no where near capacity in regards to storage. There is no reason for it.”

FJBC commissioner at large Ted Hein would like to implement a transfer agreement that brings management of the project to the local level instead of leaving it to the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

He believes that a written formula showing the FJBC capabilities and intentions in daily project operations, will expedite what some believe to be a slow left idle in the judicial system.

“The BIA has no idea how this project should be run,” Hein said. “With their “Temporary Takeover”, they (BIA) are only costing irrigators more tax money with less performance (AND) delivery for the irrigator’s dollar.”

Hein believes recent litigation should be expedited to assure local management before the next irrigation season begins.

Project Manager Peter Plant opened communication with FJBC commissioners by providing detailed project reports by email on a monthly basis.

Commissioners hope such relationships will continue to allow project personnel to appear and participate in monthly meetings.

Orr plans on holding informational meetings with irrigators and irrigators to begin formulating a project management plan and will report his findings to the FJBC.