Martin Charlo will serve on Upper Columbia panel

Following are the minutes from the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes’ Tribal Council meeting on Thursday, June 10.

• Council approved two letters, one to the Montana Department of Natural Resources stating that Martin Charlo will serve as a delegate to the Upper Columbia Conservation Commission, the second letter to Peter Buttigieg, Office of the Secretary of Transportation, supporting Lake County’s application for a road reconstruction project through Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grants. RAISE, formerly known as BUILD and TIGER, has awarded over $8.935 billion in grants to projects in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico since 2009.

• The Department of Human Resources Development received authorization to retain $2,950 generated by the sale of three salvaged vehicles. Council voted down a request to waive a background check for an employee who had been on the job a week doing chores for elders like mowing lawns. The background check takes about 30 days and is required before employees begin work.

• The Natural Resources Department was directed to follow up with Lake County regarding a deteriorating county bridge on St. Mary’s Lake Road that is owned and maintained by Lake County. A longer discussion will be in the official minutes.

• Council requested an action plan from NRD to address growing concerns of negative impacts on tribal recreation lands due to increased traffic. Council passed a motion for the development of a budget and funding plan to add 10 positions. Enforcement of regulations is a challenge due to staffing and large areas to cover. Tribal officials work with other agencies to deal with limited criminal jurisdiction over non-tribal members. The plan requested will address fee schedule options, work schedules, closure of areas and increased Fish, Wildlife and Parks presence.

• Various aspects of marijuana were discussed by tribal attorneys from the CSKT legal department, the Tribal Prosecutor’s Office, Tribal Defender’s Office and officers from the Law and Order Department. This is one of several discussions planned.

• The Tribal Executive Office addressed Council priorities as each member of Council shared their preferences, which will be compiled and discussed in future sessions. The discussion moved into exploring Council roles and expectations. More complete details will be in the official minutes. Comments (both affirmations and concerns) are part of change and are expected and encouraged. Along with any specific comments, please also share what you would like to hear more about in upcoming communications.The email address for comments is: comments@cskt.org