Opposition to tax

Early last year I circulated a signature gathering form because I was concerned the state or county governments might try to tax the use of our private water wells. I was not surprised when I gathered hundreds of signatures in just a few weeks. The intent was to use these signatures in order to have a bill introduced in the 2007 legislature, which would prohibit the state or county from charging us to use our own wells. Unfortunately, my suspicions were confirmed this past December when I received a notice of a fee (tax) charge of $100 paid over the next five years levied against our private well. The total amount collected would be about $33.5 million dollars. The authority to do this was the result of HB22, which I had never heard of, but was lobbied for by personnel of the Department of Natural Resources Conservation (DNRC), the Montana Association of Counties, Conservation Districts and other non-government agencies. Allegedly, the intent of the bill was to use the revenues to challenge some perceived future litigation which might be brought from States located downstream from us. Apparently, another reason for the bill was to verify those of us who have water rights for our property.

While I support preparedness demonstrated by the government agencies and others, I absolutely oppose billing the well owners who have already filed and paid fifty dollars for their property water rights! We also paid to have the well sunk, its regular maintenance and the electricity to operate the pump. It seems that this state has a penchant for charging certain select citizens extra taxes whenever they run short of budget monies. By the way, all of our local senators and representatives voted for the bill. Rep Verdell Jackson said he didn't agree with the bill, but voted for it anyway.

I suggest when and if the time comes that the Montana Attorney General feels a need for some extra money to litigate with other states he obtain money from the general fund. And couldn't the DNRC write us a letter to determine if we have property water rights? The County plat room is able to ascertain each of our individual property water rights according to our property deed information. Please leave our watering holes alone. Thank you.

Dan Griffin

Ferndale