Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Amendments Act of 2025
Latest Action
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Official Summary
Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Amendments Act of 2025 This bill revises the water rights settlement agreement entered into by the Crow Tribe of Montana and Montana. The Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2010 ratified, authorized, and confirmed the water rights compact between the tribe and Montana. Among other provisions, this settlement act authorized the Bureau of Reclamation to plan, design and construct the following two major projects on the Crow Reservation: (1) the rehabilitation and improvement of the Crow Irrigation Project (CIP); and (2) the planning, design, and construction of the MR&I System (the municipal, rural, and industrial water system of the Crow Reservation). Among other provisions, the bill revises the settlement act to replace references to the MR&I System with MR&I Projects; establish a nontrust, interest-bearing account (to be known as the Crow CIP Implementation Account) to allow Reclamation to continue to work on the rehabilitation of the CIP; create a new MR&I Projects Account, through which the tribe must use funds for activities related to water production, treatment, or delivery infrastructure; andextend by five years (to 2030) the period during which the tribe has the exclusive right to construct hydropower facilities on the Yellowtail Afterbay Dam in Montana.
GovScope Watchdog™
AI Government Intelligence™The Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Amendments Act of 2025 updates the existing water rights settlement between the Crow Tribe of Montana and the state of Montana. It modifies the original 2010 settlement act by changing terminology related to water infrastructure projects, establishing new financial accounts to manage funds for irrigation and municipal water projects, and extending the tribe's exclusive rights to construct hydropower facilities on the Yellowtail Afterbay Dam until 2030. The bill aims to facilitate ongoing rehabilitation and development of water infrastructure on the Crow Reservation.
This bill revises the Crow Tribe's water rights settlement to improve management of water infrastructure projects and extend hydropower construction rights, supporting continued development on the Crow Reservation.
- Replaces references to the MR&I System with MR&I Projects to reflect updated project scope or terminology.
- Creates a nontrust, interest-bearing Crow CIP Implementation Account for funds related to rehabilitating the Crow Irrigation Project.
- Establishes a new MR&I Projects Account to manage funds for water production, treatment, and delivery infrastructure activities.
- Extends the Crow Tribe's exclusive right to construct hydropower facilities on the Yellowtail Afterbay Dam by five years, through 2030.
['Crow Tribe of Montana', 'Bureau of Reclamation', 'Montana state government', 'Residents and water users on the Crow Reservation']
['The establishment of new accounts and extension of exclusive rights may require ongoing oversight to ensure funds are used appropriately and projects are completed as intended.', 'The bill does not specify detailed funding sources or amounts for the new accounts, which could affect implementation timelines or financial planning.', 'Extending exclusive hydropower construction rights may limit competition or alternative development opportunities during the extended period.']
This bill amends a previously ratified water rights settlement act from 2010 involving the Crow Tribe and Montana, reflecting ongoing federal and tribal collaboration on water infrastructure. The bill was reported out of committee with an amendment and passed by voice vote, indicating some level of bipartisan or broad support. It falls under the policy area of Native Americans and addresses tribal water rights and infrastructure development.
Hidden impact flags detected: 2
GovScope reviewed 2 policy-risk categories. Hover for a quick definition. Click detected flags for bill-specific details.
['Improved water infrastructure on the Crow Reservation may enhance local water supply reliability and quality.', 'Extended exclusive hydropower rights could delay or prevent other hydropower projects in the region, affecting regional energy development.', 'The establishment of dedicated accounts may improve financial transparency and project management but requires effective oversight mechanisms.']
The bill introduces new financial accounts that require clear oversight to ensure funds are used as intended for water infrastructure projects. The extension of exclusive hydropower construction rights should be monitored to assess impacts on competition and regional energy development. Transparency in reporting on project progress and fund usage will be important for public accountability.
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