Commissioners appeal Kootenai Falls land ownership transfer
Proposal to make the falls property of the U.S. Government as a land trust for the Salish Kootenai tribe
by Duane Williams, KLCB-KTNY Radio,
July 11, 2013
The Lincoln County Commissioners are appealing a Notice of Decision by the Flathead Office of the Bureau of Indian Affairs on an application of the Confederated Salish Kootenai tribes.
The proposal is the Kootenai Falls become the property of the United States Government in trust for the use and benefit of the Salish Kootenai tribe. Such acquisition by the Government literally requires an Act of Congress, which the County Commissioners say they have seen no evidence of any such Act. Such acquisition would remove the property from Lincoln County taxation. The property, already owned by the tribe, is minimally taxed, and say the Commissioners, since 70% of the county is already federally owned, such a move is not in the best interest of the County. Further, the Commissioners contend since the Kootenai Falls is 125 miles from the nearest reservation border and so distant from the reservation the request should be denied.
The Commissioners point out the Tribes now enjoy all rights all other private property owners enjoy, including the right to exclude trespass and abate nuisances. The change in ownership will cause the privately-owned parcel to be treated differently for tax purposes than other privately owned properties in the County.
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