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Gros Ventre and Assiniboine Tribes of the Fort Belknap Indian Community Water Rights Settlement Act of 2019

USA116th CongressS-3113| Senate 
| Updated: 12/19/2019
Jon Tester

Jon Tester

Democratic Senator

Montana

Indian Affairs Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Gros Ventre and Assiniboine Tribes of the Fort Belknap Indian Community Water Rights Settlement Act of 2019 This bill modifies and ratifies a specified water rights settlement agreement entered into by the United States, Montana, and the Fort Belknap Indian Community (i.e., the Gros Ventre and Assiniboine Tribes of the Fort Belknap Reservation of 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. Among other things, the Department of the Interior must negotiate with Montana for the transfer of specified parcels of state land located on and off the reservation, hold transferred land in trust for the benefit of the community, allocate 20,000 acre-feet per year of stored water from Lake Elwell, establish a settlement trust fund, and request Montana to pay a specified amount to contribute to the design and construction of the Peoples Creek Dam and Reservoir to support mitigation activities. The bill requires the Bureau of Reclamation to modify the operating procedures of the Milk River Project to ensure that the Fresno Reservoir is operated in accordance with the agreement. The bill also outlines certain waivers, releases, and retention of claims under the settlement agreement.
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Timeline
Dec 19, 2019
Introduced in Senate
Dec 19, 2019
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
Jan 27, 2020

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 116-5673
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife.
  • December 19, 2019
    Introduced in Senate


  • December 19, 2019
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.


  • January 27, 2020

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 116-5673
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife.

Native Americans

Related Bills

  • HR 116-5673: Gros Ventre and Assiniboine Tribes of the Fort Belknap Indian Community Water Rights Settlement Act of 2020
Alternative dispute resolution, mediation, arbitrationDams and canalsDepartment of the InteriorEconomic developmentEnvironmental assessment, monitoring, researchExecutive agency funding and structureFederal-Indian relationsGovernment information and archivesGovernment liabilityGovernment studies and investigationsGovernment trust fundsHistorical and cultural resourcesHunting and fishingIndian lands and resources rightsIndian social and development programsIntergovernmental relationsLakes and riversLand transfersLand use and conservationMissouri RiverMontanaOutdoor recreationState and local government operationsWater qualityWater resources fundingWatershedsWater storageWater use and supply

Gros Ventre and Assiniboine Tribes of the Fort Belknap Indian Community Water Rights Settlement Act of 2019

USA116th CongressS-3113| Senate 
| Updated: 12/19/2019
Gros Ventre and Assiniboine Tribes of the Fort Belknap Indian Community Water Rights Settlement Act of 2019 This bill modifies and ratifies a specified water rights settlement agreement entered into by the United States, Montana, and the Fort Belknap Indian Community (i.e., the Gros Ventre and Assiniboine Tribes of the Fort Belknap Reservation of 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. Among other things, the Department of the Interior must negotiate with Montana for the transfer of specified parcels of state land located on and off the reservation, hold transferred land in trust for the benefit of the community, allocate 20,000 acre-feet per year of stored water from Lake Elwell, establish a settlement trust fund, and request Montana to pay a specified amount to contribute to the design and construction of the Peoples Creek Dam and Reservoir to support mitigation activities. The bill requires the Bureau of Reclamation to modify the operating procedures of the Milk River Project to ensure that the Fresno Reservoir is operated in accordance with the agreement. The bill also outlines certain waivers, releases, and retention of claims under the settlement agreement.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Dec 19, 2019
Introduced in Senate
Dec 19, 2019
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
Jan 27, 2020

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 116-5673
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife.
  • December 19, 2019
    Introduced in Senate


  • December 19, 2019
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.


  • January 27, 2020

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 116-5673
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife.
Jon Tester

Jon Tester

Democratic Senator

Montana

Indian Affairs Committee

Native Americans

Related Bills

  • HR 116-5673: Gros Ventre and Assiniboine Tribes of the Fort Belknap Indian Community Water Rights Settlement Act of 2020
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Alternative dispute resolution, mediation, arbitrationDams and canalsDepartment of the InteriorEconomic developmentEnvironmental assessment, monitoring, researchExecutive agency funding and structureFederal-Indian relationsGovernment information and archivesGovernment liabilityGovernment studies and investigationsGovernment trust fundsHistorical and cultural resourcesHunting and fishingIndian lands and resources rightsIndian social and development programsIntergovernmental relationsLakes and riversLand transfersLand use and conservationMissouri RiverMontanaOutdoor recreationState and local government operationsWater qualityWater resources fundingWatershedsWater storageWater use and supply