Bill Introduced To Resolve Fort Belknap Water Settlement

U.S. Sens. Steve Daines and Jon Tester, with the support of the Montana delegation and Gov. Greg Gianforte, last week introduced a historic bill to finalize the Fort Belknap Indian Community Water Settlement in the U.S. Senate.

“After years of effort and good faith negotiation, it’s time to pass our bipartisan bill to resolve Montana’s final Indian water rights settlement,” Daines said. “I am grateful to Montana Tribes and communities, our farmers and ranchers, local leaders and diverse water users in the region for their input during this process that helped us arrive at a solution that will provide certainty, much-needed infrastructure improvements, and protection of the rights of all water users in northcentral Montana.”

“As a third generation Montana farmer, I know how important water is to folks in northcentral Montana for everything from irrigation to economic development,” Tester said. “After years of work with the Fort Belknap Indian Community, farmers, ranchers, local leaders and a wide array of Montana stakeholders, I’m proud to reintroduce this revised FBIC water settlement which will give certainty to all water users in the region. This is a madein- Montana solution, and I’m looking forward to getting this long overdue settlement across the finish line.”

“This bipartisan bill is the result of extensive coordination between the State of Montana, the Fort Belknap Indian Community, and the federal government, with valuable input from local leaders, farmers, ranchers, and other water users over many years,” Gianforte said. “It’s time we get this done for the benefit of the tribes, our farmers and ranchers, and all water users in northcentral Montana.”

“We are grateful to Sens. Tester and Daines for introducing our Indian water rights settlement bill and appreciate the work of Gov. Gianforte and the rest of the Montana delegation for their support,” said FBIC Tribal Council president Jeff Stiffarm. “We have worked extensively with our tribal community, Milk River water users, other irrigators, the Department of Interior, and the State of Montana to negotiate the settlement of our Indian water rights. This bill would benefit the Fort Belknap Indian Community for generations to come and boost the regional economy with funding for infrastructure projects. Benefits to FBIC’s Southern and Northern Communities include new and updated irrigation projects, safe drinking water, and the ability to provide services such as stock water and agriculture projects. We need Congressional approval to finally settle our Indian water rights and secure this sacred resource for our future generations.”

“I am proud to be a part of the Montana delegation working together and keeping our promises. A promise made should be a promise kept, let’s get this done,” U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke said.

“After several years of discussion, I’m glad to see the Fort Belknap Indian Community, farmers, ranchers, and local leaders come to an agreement that will strengthen Montana’s economy,” U.S. Rep. Matt Rosendale said.