Council Dispatch #154     March 28, 2023

 

Tribal Member

 

  • Wayne McCoy discussed the need to have a waste energy plan. The Kootenai Tribe was going to approve a waste energy plan and that would have been a good idea. 10 houses were going to be built and energy would be supplied to those houses. Wayne asked if we could get something like that here so we would have a waste energy plan and get housing for people. He suggested having 10 big bins in the communities and homesites and have people trained to haul them. Chairman McDonald commented the flat rate system they have is not fair and it would be nice to reward people for conservation and recycling. The Tribes continue to work on a solution.

 

Tribal Council

 

  • Martin Charlo gave an update on the vandalism that took place at the Beartracks Bridge. An interpretative sign was torn out and thrown down the stairs to the river. It was a social media post that alerted people to it. Commissioner Strohmaier reported it as a crime scene and a police investigation is underway. The mayor is also involved. The tribal chairman put out a statement yesterday and it was well received. There are discussions about how to pay for the signs. The sign will be replaced as soon as possible. There will be a dedication for the Grant Creek interpretative signs on the interstate in conjunction with the ones at Beartracks Bridge. It is to be determined. GoFundMe funds will assist with replacement of the signs.

 

Legal Department

 

  • Council approved by resolution the 2023 Tribal Council Election Rules & Regulations, as amended March 28, 2023. The Election Board will consist of the 5 Tribal Council members not up for election, two tribal member citizen eligible voters to observe and participate, and the Legal Department Managing Attorney to make sure the election follows the governing rules.

 

Salish Kootenai College Extension/Arlee School District

 

  • Garrett O’Connor and Lena Tromp, Arlee High School Students, gave a presentation on the Safeguarding Natural Heritage program. CSKT was 1 of 6 selected by the USDA to participate in the program. Garrett’s project was on the increase and decrease of biodiversity in the Jocko Valley ecosystem. Lena’s project was tracking water quality on the Jocko River.

 

Friends of the Jocko

 

  • Friends of the Jocko gave a status report on what has transpired since the last time they met with council regarding the proposed gravel pit and asphalt plant in Arlee. Their requests for the public comment period to be extended and an environmental impact statement were not granted, but a draft environmental assessment was released by the State. They requested a copy of the comments that were submitted to the Department of Environmental Quality by CSKT staff and for the Tribes to provide them with legal assistance if they go to litigation.  Council had no objection to providing a copy of the comments and Chairman McDonald will follow up with MaryRose Morigeau. Council took the request regarding legal assistance under advisement. Terry Pitts suggested sending a letter to the State telling them to stop the process until they have a consultation with the Tribes.

 

 

NOTE:  The official Council Minutes will contain more complete details about lengthy discussions and should be considered the official record of Council. Dispatches are written from notes taken live and may occasionally contain partial information, over-simplified characterizations or an occasional error. Council reviews and corrects the draft minutes before approving as the official record.  Comments (both affirmations and concerns) are part of change and are expected and encouraged. Along with any specific comments, please also share what you would like to hear more about in upcoming communications. The email address for comments is: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..