Bill To Ensure Clean Water For Area
A bill to reauthorize the Fort Peck Dry Prairie Rural Water System was introduced last week by U.S. Sens. Steve Daines, R-Mont., and Tim Sheehy, R-Mont.
The bill extends authority for the Bureau of Reclamation to continue constructing essential water infrastructure in the Fort Peck Reservation and the counties of Roosevelt, Sheridan, Valley and Daniels from December 2026 to December 2028.
“Water infrastructure is especially important for Montana’s tribes and rural communities, and I’m pleased this bill will help provide these areas clean, safe water,” Daines said in a press release.
Sheeny was quoted, “As I work alongside Sen. Daines to make life more safe, prosperous and affordable for all Montanans, it’s an honor to help deliver our tribal partners and friends in northeast Montana the resources needed to thrive. I’m proud to support this commonsense bill to protect the critical infrastructure rural Montana communities depend on for access to reliable, clean water.”
Rick Knick, chairman of Dry Prairie, said, “On behalf of the Dry Prairie Rural Water Authority, we commend Sen. Daines, Sen. Sheehy and the entire Montana Delegation for their diligent work in seeing the Fort Peck Reservation Rural Water System to completion. This vital drinking water project that has brought together tribal and non-tribal communities is life changing for the people of northeast Montana.”
A statement from ASRWSS reads, “The Assiniboine and Sioux Rural Water System wants to thank Sen. Daines and Sen. Sheehy for introducing a bill to ensure that our partners, the Dry Prairie Rural Water System, will be able to complete the construction of their portion of the Fort Peck Reservation Rural Water System. This project is truly historic and is changing for the better the lives of the people in Northeast Montana.”
