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Senate resolution seeks state attention to Flathead Lake water levels
Summary
Senator Matt Regier introduced Senate Joint Resolution 18 asking the Legislature and state agencies to emphasize Flathead Lake water levels in upcoming regional water negotiations; supporters cited local economic harm and urged inclusion of Flathead Valley interests in broader Columbia River Basin discussions.
Senator Matt Regier, sponsor of Senate Joint Resolution 18, told the Senate Natural Resources Committee that the measure is intended to highlight the economic and recreational importance of Flathead Lake as negotiations over river and reservoir operations continue.
Regier said Flathead Lake’s low pool two years ago left some residents and businesses unable to put boats in the water and imposed “ripple effects” across the local tourism and recreation economy. He said the resolution asks state negotiators to ensure the Flathead Valley is considered in discussions tied to the Columbia River system, the Columbia River Treaty and river operating entities, including federal agencies, tribes and electric utilities.
Committee members asked who makes the final lake-level decisions. Regier replied that authority is spread across many actors — the Army Corps of Engineers, Columbia Basin operators, tribal governments, utilities and international treaty obligations — and said that prompted him to file a resolution rather than a binding statute. Senator Morgell disclosed a potential conflict: she said the dam in question is managed by a company that manages it for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and noted she has professional experience on lake-level policy.
No proponents, opponents or informational witnesses registered for the hearing. Committee members questioned how broadly the resolution would signal the Legislature’s intent and whether it could be used to influence the next Columbia River Treaty negotiation. Regier said the resolution specifically references involvement in the upcoming Columbia River Treaty review and is meant to ensure the voices of Flathead Lake residents and businesses are not forgotten.
The hearing record shows no formal committee action on SJ 18 during this session’s hearing; the sponsor closed after questions. The committee proceeded to its next agenda item after the close of testimony.
