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Northern Montana Water Security Act of 2025
3/6/2025, 12:03 PM
Summary of Bill S 241
The Fort Belknap Indian Community, located in Montana, has long-standing water rights claims that have not been adequately addressed. This bill aims to rectify this by providing a comprehensive settlement that will allocate water resources in a fair and equitable manner.
In addition to addressing the water rights claims of the Fort Belknap Indian Community, the bill also includes provisions for the management and protection of water resources in the region. This includes measures to ensure the sustainability of water supplies and to protect the environment. Overall, Bill 119 s 241 is an important piece of legislation that seeks to provide a fair and equitable settlement for the water rights claims of the Fort Belknap Indian Community. By addressing these claims, the bill aims to ensure that the community has access to a reliable and sustainable water supply for years to come.
Congressional Summary of S 241
Northern Montana Water Security Act of 2025
This bill modifies and ratifies a specified water rights settlement agreement entered into by the United States, Montana, and the Fort Belknap Indian Community of the Fort Belknap Reservation of Montana (i.e., the Gros Ventre and Assiniboine Tribes). The bill also authorizes wastewater infrastructure on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in Montana.
The bill requires the community's water rights to be held in trust for the benefit of the community and its allottees. The community must enact a tribal water code to regulate its water rights.
Additionally, the bill authorizes the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture (as applicable) to enter negotiations with Montana to exchange certain state lands for federal lands to be held in trust for the benefit of the community. The bill prohibits gaming on the land taken into trust.
The bill also
- establishes the Aaniiih Nakoda Settlement Trust Fund (and specified accounts) for purposes of carrying out this bill,
- establishes the Fort Belknap Indian Community Water Settlement Implementation Fund (and specified accounts) for purposes of carrying out this bill, and
- provides funding for specified accounts established by the bill.
The bill also authorizes Interior to plan, design, construct, operate, maintain, and replace community water distribution and wastewater treatment facilities for the Blackfeet Tribe of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation of Montana.
Read the Full Bill
Current Status of Bill S 241
Bipartisan Support of Bill S 241
Total Number of Sponsors
2Democrat Sponsors
0Republican Sponsors
2Unaffiliated Sponsors
0Total Number of Cosponsors
1Democrat Cosponsors
0Republican Cosponsors
1Unaffiliated Cosponsors
0Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill S 241
Primary Policy Focus
Alternate Title(s) of Bill S 241
Comments
Emmanuel Burnette
9 months ago
This bill is a disaster! It's gonna mess up everything in Northern Montana. Why are they even trying to mess with our water security? It's ridiculous. I can't believe they would even consider passing this garbage. It's gonna be a nightmare for all of us. I can't even wrap my head around how stupid this is. They need to wake up and realize the damage this is gonna cause. It's just unbelievable.
Mazie Frazier
9 months ago
I heard about this new bill that's supposed to be about water security in Northern Montana. I don't know much about it, but I'm worried about how it might impact me and my community here in ND. Will this bill really help protect our water sources in the long run, or will it end up causing more harm than good?
Keanu Hood
10 months ago
I don't get why this bill is helping them out when there are so many other issues that need attention. Who really benefits from this?
