1959-03-01 Char-Koosta News

              Henry Matt Dixon, Mont.
Kerr Dam,
CHAR-KOOSTA     Po™r« *•
PUBLISHED BY CONFEDERATED SALISH AND KOOTENAI TRIBES, FLATHEAD AGENCY. MONT. FliltlvOCtd
Vol. 3—No. 4 March, 1959
$73,000 To Be Shared by Certain Tribal Members
On April 20, 1959, bids were opened on 4,022.38 acres and 4 city lots which were offered for sale to the general public by various members of the Tribes. A total of 50 bids were received, of which 20 bids were at or above the appraised value established on the tracts. The total acreage involved in the high bids was 1,813.70 acres which brought a total of $73,226.43. The average price per acre was $40.38.
Bids will be awarded to the successful bidders by the Area Director. However,
the amount received must be acceptable to the landowners before the lands can be conveyed to the successful bidders. In a few instances it may be necessary for an oral auction to take place at a later date on lands in which the Tribes have expressed an interest by the submission of adequate bids along with other bidders. This will, in most cases, increase the total amount received and, consequently, increase the average per acre price.
Deep in a rocky gorge, only a few miles below the outlet to beautiful Flathead lake, is Kerr dam, Montana Power company's largest hydroelectric plant. Located on the land of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, this dam results in annual rental cash payment of $175,000 per year to the tribe. Installation of a third generating unit has resulted in an agreement, yet to be approved by the Federal Power commission, to raise the annual payments to $225,000 and to extend the lease period.