1972-08-11 Char-Koosta News

              Zectran
Passes
Council
Flathead Irrigation Project, Part 2
The only law the Flathead Irrigation Project has con-sistantly followed since it was conceived 68 years ago is "The Law of Gravity"—the water it uses generally flows downstream.
The Flathead Irrigation Project, known until recently as the Flathead INDIAN irrigation project, was outlined in the Act of April 23, 1904. The act, which was primarily concerned with dealing out allotments (from a
stacked deck as it turned out), also provided for: "the construction of irrigation ditches, the purchase of stock cattle, farming implements, or other necessary articles to aid the (Continued on page 10)
Published By The Confederated Sallsh and Kootenai Tribes, Dixon, Montana 59831
(Charlo)
(Koostahtah)
Dixon—By a narrow margin of five to four, the Tribal Council has approved the use of the chemical insecticide Zectran on the Reservation's forests.
The Council acted on a Bureau of Indian Affairs plan to spray some 50,000 acres of timber in
the Jocko area which, foresters Salish, Kootenai, Pend 'd Orielles Tribes
say, is being affected by the voulme 2. Number 7 Moon ot the Wild Onion PRICE  10c
spruce bud-worm. The sprayjgB^BEgMOBWEWWOMPOBgMEtf^
program was deferred until early next summer when the insects are in a vulnerable stage of development.
Voting against the measure, which would end a four year ban on the use of chemical pesticides on the reservation, were Councilmen Tom Pablo, Hot Springs, Pat Lefthand, Elmo, Fred Whitworth, Arlee and Tom "Bearhead" Swaney, St. Ignatius.
Zectran is a new carbimate insecticide which is said to be fairly specifically toxic to the spruce bud-worm. The insecticide is also supposed to be fairly short-lived and therefore, allegedly, less harmful to the environment.
However, the chemical has undergone only limited testing and there is fear there may be
Mont. Power Judgement In The Bank
Dixon—The $U-and one quarter million won by the tribe from Montana Power is currently in a special account with the Bank of American awaiting the results of reservation District meetings.
The money, which is the result of a lease rate hike for Kerr dam, was placed in the special account to take advantage of a some secondary affects on fish greater interest rate. The bank and wildlife. Reservation of American is paying 5.2 per-Fisheries Ranger Dave cent interest as compared with Harriman, for instance, has the four percent the money pointed out that the time ap- would have been drawing if it plication—late June or early had remained in the tribe's July—happens to correspond to account with the U.S. Treasury the spawning season of the west- Department, slope cutthroat trout, which is an The Tribal Council decided endangered species. Harriman July 18 to open the question of notes that the presence of how to deal with the monies to Zectran in the waters of the the people of the tribe. Meetings upper Jocko (one of the few are being called in all districts to remaining cutthroat murseries air-out tribal members thoughts, in the world) might have an a meeting was held last Wed-affeet on the fish's ability to nesday in St. Ignatius (see story spawn. in next column). Poison Coun-
Last year, the tribe rejected a cilman E.W. "Bill" Morigeau U.S. Forest Service—BIA slated a meeting for Tuesday of Forestry plan to test Zectran on this week. Arlee Councilmen 25,000 acres of the south branch Fred Whitworth and John of the Jocko river.
CHAR—KO0STA
Monana Power Money Draws Interest While Tribe Meets
St. Ignatius,
Malatare will hold their meeting at the Community Center August 17, at 7:30 p.m. and Ronan Councilman Jim Ely and Pablo Councilman Vic Stinger have scheduled a joint meeting tomorrow (Saturday, August 12) at 2 p.m. at the Community Center.
After a six year court fight following a Federal Power Commission ruling, Montana Power submitted the $11,249,913.81 check to the F.P.C. July 31. The judgment was placed in the tribal account with the Treasury Department and from there it was deposited with the Bank of America.
Tribe Offers Bounty on Poachers
Dixon—The Tribal Council has resolved to offer a reward of up to $100. for the conviction of persons violating Federal, State or Tribal hunting and fishing laws.
The resolution cites the "problem of violation of the hunting and fishing laws" as a reason for asking the measure. The rewards will be administered by the Community Services Committee of the Council. The Committee will keep a confidential file on the informant and information.
Poison for 100% Split
St.Ignatius—One hundred percent distribution of the Montana Power rate settlement checks—that's what a standing room only crowd attending a Mission district meeting last Wednesday demanded.
Councilman Tom "Bearhead" Swaney, St. Ignatius, had called the meeting of his district, which is shared by Council Chairman Harold Mitchell Jr., to determine exactly what the people wanted to do with the Montana Power $11,249,913.81 check. The decision to leave the question open to the people was made by the Tribal Council last month.
Swaney opened the session in the St. Ignatius Community Center by offering a few alternatives to total per—capita payment. He suggested the possibility of putting some of the money into an orphan—youth ranch—"to keep tribal member, kids out of state and federal institutions" and also discussed the possibility of long term investment.
It became apparent immediately, however, that nearly all the 80 persons present favored a total pay—out. The