Sponsors (2)
The bill secures tribal land and water rights and delivers substantial federal funding and infrastructure benefits for Fort Belknap and Blackfeet communities, while creating significant federal costs and preserving federal oversight, easements, and procedural limits that can constrain tribal autonomy, legal recourse, and environmental review.
Indigenous tribal communities (Fort Belknap and Blackfeet) receive legally secured tribal water rights and protections from loss by non‑use, strengthening long‑term water security and legal standing.
Fort Belknap and Blackfeet tribal communities receive major dedicated funding for water infrastructure (hundreds of millions for Fort Belknap projects and $250M for Blackfeet) to build/upgrade irrigation, drinking water, sewer systems, and treatment with O&M support.
Fort Belknap Tribe gains substantial land converted to trust and added to the Reservation (~3,519 acres plus Dodson acres) expanding tribal land base and governance authority.
Taxpayers and federal budgets are exposed to large new costs and appropriations (including up to $300M authorized and $250M appropriated) and federal funding uncertainty could leave projects underfunded or obligations unmet.
Tribal control over some lands and projects is limited by retained federal easements/withdrawals (including a perpetual easement on Dodson lands) and by broad Secretary approval/enforcement authority over plans and expenditures, which can constrain tribal autonomy and future land use.
The bill narrows legal pathways and third‑party recourse by requiring exhaustion of Tribal remedies before suing the United States and disclaiming U.S. liability for certain tribal leases, limiting rapid federal relief or damages claims.
Based on analysis of 8 sections of legislative text.
Introduced January 31, 2025 by Ryan Zinke · Last progress January 31, 2025
Ratifies and implements a negotiated water-rights compact for the Fort Belknap Indian Community, confirms and protects Tribal water rights, places thousands of acres of specified Federal and fee lands into trust for the Tribe (with conditions and easements for the Milk River project), and creates dedicated settlement trust and implementation funds with detailed funding deposits and rules for use. The bill also cancels certain irrigation debts for Fort Belknap allotments, sets deadlines for Tribal water code adoption, leasing and environmental-review responsibilities, and prohibits Class II/III gaming on lands taken into trust. Separately, it authorizes $250 million to plan, build, operate, and maintain water distribution and wastewater treatment facilities for the Blackfeet Tribe.