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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2001

At least two Montana Supreme Court Justices expressed skepticism on Tuesday that the state apparently doesn't understand the water rights of Montana's tribes.

By issuing a water permit to a non-Indian resident of the Flathead Reservation, the state is in clear violation of 1999 decision by the high court, said lawyers for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. The lawyers want the state sanctioned and the water permit put on hold until the tribes' rights are fully qualified.

But the state claims the 1999 decision wasn't so clear. In response, two judges questioned why the state can't understand a decision that appears very simple.

Get the Story:
State, tribes debate reservation water permits (The Billings Gazette 11/14)

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Flathead water dispute in court (11/13)