Northern Montana Water Security Act of 2025

This bill settles the Fort Belknap Indian Community’s water rights in Montana and approves their water agreement with the state. It confirms the Tribe’s water rights, keeps them in federal trust, and lets the Tribe manage and lease water (with guardrails for off‑reservation use). It also assigns 20,000 acre‑feet of water each year from Lake Elwell (Tiber Dam) for Tribal use.

The bill invests in local water systems: it directs restoration of the St. Mary Canal to carry 850 cubic feet per second and enlarges the Dodson South Canal to 700 cfs, with up to $300 million for this work. It sets up funds to upgrade irrigation, expand clean drinking water and sewer systems, and build the pipeline to bring Lake Elwell water to the southern part of the reservation. It clears certain old irrigation debts for Tribal members, offers lower power rates for irrigation pumping, and moves about 2,500 acres near Dodson into trust for the Tribe (with no casino gaming on that land). It also authorizes $250 million for water and wastewater facilities for the Blackfeet Tribe. The settlement takes effect only after Tribal approval, court approval, and full funding; if key deadlines in 2035–2036 aren’t met, the deal expires.

• Who is affected:

  • Fort Belknap Indian Community members and local irrigators along the Milk River Project.
  • Blackfeet Tribe residents who need safer water and wastewater services.

• What changes:

  • Tribal water rights are confirmed and managed by the Tribe, including the ability to lease water with rules for off‑reservation use.
  • 20,000 acre‑feet per year is allocated from Lake Elwell for Tribal use.
  • Major canal fixes and irrigation upgrades are funded; certain old irrigation charges are canceled.
  • Trust and implementation funds support clean drinking water, sewer projects, and delivery of Lake Elwell water.
  • Lower electricity rates are made available for irrigation pumping.
  • Some federal land near Dodson is placed into trust; gaming on that land is prohibited.
  • It does not change other Tribes’ water rights.

• When:

  • It becomes enforceable after Tribal voters approve, a court approves the agreement, and funds are fully deposited; claims are paused until that date. If these steps aren’t finished by 2035–2036, the settlement ends and funds/actions are unwound.
  • If Congress does not provide enough money, the federal government isn’t required to carry out parts of the plan.