Leaders of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes are weighing their next move after Montana lawmakers refused to advance a controversial water compact.

The compact would confirm the tribe's reserved water rights and make improvements to an irrigation project on the reservation. But vocal opposition from some irrigators and landowners on and near the reservation have stalled the agreement, the final tribal compact in the state.

The inaction could force the tribe to go to back to court, tying up the process for years and potentially costing the state more money.

Get the Story:
House panels kill bills to study, enact Flathead tribal water rights compact (The Billings Gazette 4/4)

An Opinion:
Montana State Sen. Verdell Jackson Water compact (The Ravalli Republic 4/4)

Related Stories:
Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes push water compact (03/20)