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MONDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2002

Montana state officials were spared a contempt of court citation on Friday but the Montana Supreme Court handed a significant victory to the Flathead Nation nonetheless.

The court in a 5-2 ruling said the state can't issue water permits for non-Indians on the reservation because the water rights of the Confederated and Salish Tribes have not been quantified. The ruling followed earlier decisions that said much the same thing.

The tribes sought contempt rulings against three state officials who sought the permit but the request was denied at this time.

Get the Story:
Court: Water rights ruling flawed (The Billings Gazette 12/9)

Get the Ruling:
THE CONFEDERATED SALISH AND KOOTENAI TRIBES OF THE FLATHEAD RESERVATION, STATE OF MONTANA v. STULTS 01-415 (December 6, 2002)

Relevant Documents:
Briefs and Other Court Documents (Montana Law Library)

Related Stories:
Mont. tribe resuming water talks (05/31)
Mont. wants opinions on water compact (12/19)
Mont. justices skeptical in tribal suit (11/14)
Flathead water dispute in court (11/13)
Tribes want water rights protected (6/19)