Briefs for Dec. 14, 2016
Hey savvy news reader! Thanks for choosing local.
You are now reading
1 of 3 free articles.
U.S. Senate passes Blackfeet water compact
News from the office of Senator Steve Daines
WASHINGTON, D.C. —The U.S. Senate on Thursday passed the Blackfeet water compact in the Water Infrastructure Improvements Act for the Nation Act, which authorizes the Blackfeet water compact and ends decades of litigation. It also paves the way for more than 400 million of investment water, irrigation and infrastructure projects.
Modern efforts to quantify the Blackfeet Tribe’s reserved water rights began 37 years ago in 1979 when the State of Montana filed suit in State court as part of the statewide water rights adjudication proceeding. The State of Montana and the Tribe reached an agreement in 2007 in the form of a Compact, which the Montana State Senate passed by a nearly unanimous vote of 48-2 about two years later. Federal legislation to authorize the Compact was first introduced in 2010, passing through several committees until it was passed in the Senate Thursday.
“Today is a historic day for the Blackfeet Tribe, Montana farmers, ranchers and families,” Senator Steve Daines said. “The Blackfeet water compact will update decades old infrastructure, strengthen irrigation for agriculture and protect habitat.”
$1 million grant earmarked for Tribes’ diabetes programs
PABLO — The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes will receive $1,040,808 in funding for diabetes treatment and prevention from the Special Diabetes Program for Indians, according to U.S. Senator Steve Daines. The 301 SDPI Community-Directed grant programs help to implement diabetes prevention and treatment interventions in American Indian and Alaska Native communities.
