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Last chance to hit brakes

| December 22, 2022 12:00 AM

I am writing in regards to the federal government’s confiscation of Montanan’s water rights under the guise of the CSKT water compact, and the urgent need for Montanans to file objections to this abomination before Feb. 9, 2023.

The compact takes the water rights of multiple counties in Western Montana away from property owners and state administration and cedes them to the CSKT tribal government. Unfortunately, this is just a shell game though, because conveniently enough this will all be administered by Washington, D.C. In fact, the Department of the Interior (via the BIA) will meter all water sources in these counties so as to collect revenues and taxation. But even better, enforcement will apparently be outsourced to the Department of Homeland Security. Thus, property owners affected by this compact might reasonably expect DHS goons on their doorsteps if they don’t pony up.

This grotesque overreach was made possible via layers of deception in 2015 courtesy of the federal government’s enablers from both parties in the Montana legislature, and the Bullock administration’s bureaucrats and lawyers marching in lockstep with Washington. The violations of both the Montana and U.S. Constitutions by this compact are legion, not least of which include the 4th and 5th amendments.

Of course, this really isn’t about water rights. As with everything from Washington these days, it’s about control. For those who still care about the protection of life, liberty and property, consider filing an objection. This will likely be the last chance to hit the brakes. So, speak up now or forever hold your peace.

Chris Weil

Kalispell