The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes are preparing for litigation in order to assert their water rights.

After more than three decades of work, the tribe negotiated a compact that would settle their rights. But opposition from non-Indians on and near the Flathead Reservation scuttled passage of the agreement.

Litigation is likely to be costly for the state and water users. Supporters of the compact say the tribe has a strong case because the 1855 Treaty of Hellgate reserves water on and off the reservation.

Get the Story:
Tribes say legal action may be only water-rights option (AP 4/17)
Judge blocks vote on Flathead water compact (The Missoulian 4/17)
Battle Over Flathead Water Rights Faces Specter of Litigation (The Flathead Beacon 4/17)

Related Stories:
Letter: Failure of tribal water compact leaves state in bad place (4/11)
Montana tribe weighs next move in water compact dispute (4/4)
Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes push water compact (03/20)