Bill > S240

This bill amends the Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2010 to make several key changes to water rights and funding mechanisms for the Crow Tribe. The bill establishes two new accounts: the Crow CIP Implementation Account and the MR&I Projects Account, which will be managed by the Secretary of the Interior. The MR&I Projects Account (MR&I stands for Municipal, Rural, and Industrial) will primarily fund water infrastructure projects on the Crow Reservation, including water production, treatment, delivery, and wastewater infrastructure. The bill allows the Tribe to use remaining funds in this account to purchase on-reservation land with water rights after completing infrastructure projects. The legislation also extends the timeline for the Yellowtail Dam project from 15 to 20 years and makes technical corrections to various sections of the original act, such as updating section references and modifying definitions. Additionally, the bill clarifies that the federal government will have no obligation to pay for the operation, maintenance, or replacement of MR&I Projects, and that the Tribe will retain title, control, and operation of any infrastructure constructed using these funds. The amendments aim to provide more flexibility and clarity in implementing water rights and infrastructure development for the Crow Tribe.

Military Affairs and Security

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/240/all-info