Montana Alberta Tie line seeks to condemn Cut Bank-area land for power line

MATL seeks to condemn land for power line

GREAT FALLS, Mont. — The developer of a power line between Great Falls and Lethbridge, Alberta, is seeking to acquire via eminent domain an easement across some land east of Cut Bank.

Montana Alberta Tie Ltd. filed a complaint for condemnation Monday in Glacier County District Court against Larry Salois and his mother, Shirley Salois.

Larry Salois said he does not object to the line crossing his mother’s property, he just wants a half mile of the line slightly adjusted. He said the route MATL wants to use runs adjacent to wetlands and over tepee rings on prairie that has never been plowed.

The condemnation complaint says MATL and the Saloises failed to agree on a price and that the proposed route across the property would lead to the “greatest public good” with the “least private injury.”

The owners would be compensated for the easement if it is condemned.

Larry Salois said he didn’t expect MATL to use eminent domain. He has 20 days to respond to the complaint.

The complaint is the first time MATL — a subsidiary of Toronto-based Tonbridge Power Inc. — has used condemnation in dealing with Montana landowners. The power line affects 113 landowners in Canada and 250 in Montana.

Construction of an electrical substation near Cut Bank has begun and poles will start going up shortly, said Bob Williams, a regulatory consultant for the developer.

“If there’s a way to proceed with agreements with all the remaining landowners, that would be ideal,” Williams said.

Information from: Great Falls Tribune, www.greatfallstribune.com