1978-10-15 Char-Koosta News

              BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PAID ST. IGNATIUS, MONTANA PERMIT NO. 1
SKY  COUNTRY
VOLUME 8   NUMBER 12    MOON OF THE HALF SUMMER-HALF AUTUMN   OCTOBER 15, 1978
Tribal Council-Montana Power Co. Reach Agreement
Montana Power Co. and the Tribal Council have reached an agreement on the Kerr Dam lease increase for the years 1969-1979.
The agreement must first be approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission before it becomes effective and must also be entered and published in the Federal Register for a period of ten days starting October 20th.
The settlement would result in an annual rental increase from $950,000. to $2.6 million per year. The agreement does not require a retroactive increase for the first five years lease payments.
Montana Power would pay the Tribes in three installments, $4.65 million for the 1975-77 period would be due Nov. 1, 1978. The second installment of $2.6 million, for 1978 would be due in Jan. 1979 and the third payment would also be $2.6 million for the 1979 year and due in January, 1980.
Negotiations between the Tribal Council, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and Montana Power brought about the settlement late summer and was held "confidential". News of the settlement was released a few hours before the quarterly meeting held in Arlee on Oct. 6.
Applications for re-licensing of Kerr Dam after 1980 have been submitted to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission by both Montana Power Co. and the Tribe.
Quarterly Meeting - Oct. 6.
Approximately 60 Tribal members attended the fourth Quarterly Council meeting at the Arlee Community Center Oct. 6th.
After the reading and approval of old minutes, new business got underway with the attending members input.
Some of the topics that were discussed were mass transportation funds for senior citizens.
Transfer of funds, short term loans, attorney contracts and an explanation concerning additional costs due to several court cases and other litigation were lightly touched upon.
Other matters questioned anddiscussed were irrigation and water diversions, BIA re-organization, power lines trespass, easement rights. A lengthy discussion regarding Kerr Dam brought out some facts of interest to members present.
Kerr Dam, Montana Power Co. and the Corps of Engineers dam studies were three subjects of special concern. Members directed their various questions to the Council men regarding future plans, costs and services.
The tribal budget was another area of interest, along with hiring practices, the CETA program, wood-cutting, social services and a possible future constitutional change involving  the  Tribal   Secretary  and  Treasurer   positions.
The meeting was adjourned at 3 o'clock.