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United States · Bill · S

S. 1899 (105th)

Chippewa Cree Tribe of the Rocky Boy's Reservation Indian Reserved Water Rights Settlement Act of 1998

reportedUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

1 April 1998

Last action

16 September 1998 · Reported

Status

Committee on Indian Affairs. Incorporated the text of this bill into the amendment in the nature of a substitute to S. 1771 ordered favorably reported.

Sponsors

Sen. Baucus, Max [D-MT], Sen. Burns, Conrad R. [R-MT]

Subjects

Discovery layer

Source updated

21 August 2025

Summary

Chippewa Cree Tribe of the Rocky Boy's Reservation Indian Reserved Water Rights Settlement Act of 1998 - Approves and ratifies the Water Rights Compact entered into on April 14, 1997, by the Chippewa Cree Tribe of the Rocky Boy's Reservation and the State of Montana, as modified by this Act. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to execute and implement the Compact. Requires the United States, the Tribe, or the State of Montana to petition the Montana Water Court to enter and approve the proposed decree agreed to by such parties. Voids the Compact if approval by the appropriate court does not become final within three years following the filing of the decree or the decree is approved but subsequently set aside. Authorizes the Secretary to extend the three-year deadline on agreement with the State and the Tribe. (Sec. 6) Directs the Secretary to administer and enforce the Tribal Water Right until the approval of a tribal water code. Satisfies any entitlement to Federal Indian reserved water of any tribal member solely from the water secured to the Tribe by the Compact. Authorizes the Tribe, subject to the Secretary's approval and Compact conditions, to enter into a service contract or other agreement providing for the temporary delivery, use, or transfer of water rights confirmed to the Tribe in the Compact. (Sec. 7) Directs the Secretary, through the Bureau of Reclamation, to: (1) perform a municipal, rural, and industrial (MR&I) feasibility study of water and related resources in North Central Montana to evaluate alternatives for an MR&I supply for the Reservation; and (2) conduct a regional feasibility study to evaluate such water and resources to determine limitations and how resources can best be managed to serve the needs of Montana's citizens. (Sec. 8) Requires the Secretary to allocate a specified amount of stored water to the Tribe without cost. Grants the Tribe the right to devote the water to any use within or outside the Reservation. (Sec. 9) Authorizes and directs the Secretary, through the Bureau, to plan, design, and construct specified water development projects on the Reservation. Permits the Tribe, upon request, to carry out such activity subject to an agreement with the Secretary. (Sec. 10) Establishes the Chippewa Cree Indian Reserved Water Rights Settlement Trust Fund to fulfill the purposes of this Act, subject to certain restrictions on expenditures. (Sec. 11) Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 12) Describes the State contribution to the settlement. (Sec. 13) Removes the Tribe's right to withdraw as a party to the Compact. Requires the Tribe to release the United States from the following claims, the validity of which is not recognized by the United States: (1) claims to or for water rights, injuries to water rights, loss or deprivation of water rights, and failures to acquire or develop water rights for tribal lands from time immemorial to the date of Compact ratification; and (2) claims arising out of negotiation of the Compact and settlement. Entitles the United States, in the event the release does not become effective, to set off any funds transferred to the Tribe under this Act against any claim for damages.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

  1. 1 April 1998

    Introduced

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 1 April 1998

    Introduced

    Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2975)

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 1 April 1998

    Introduced

    Introduced in Senate

    Source: IntroReferral

  4. 24 June 1998

    Committee

    Committee on Indian Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 105-811.

    Source: Committee

  5. 16 September 1998

    Reported

    Committee on Indian Affairs. Incorporated the text of this bill into the amendment in the nature of a substitute to S. 1771 ordered favorably reported.

    Source: Committee

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

Documents

3 official files

Introduced in Senate (text)

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  • Introduced in Senate (text)

    Introduced in Senate · EN · 1 April 1998

    ViewDownloadOpen at official source

  • Introduced in Senate (PDF)

    Introduced in Senate · EN · 1 April 1998

    ViewDownloadOpen at official source

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  • Introduced in Senate

    summary · EN · 1 April 1998

    Open at official source

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Sponsors

Related records

Sources

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