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United States · Law · S

S. 438 (106th)

Chippewa Cree Tribe of the Rocky Boy's Reservation Indian Reserved Water Rights Settlement and Water Supply Enhancement Act of 1999

enactedUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

22 February 1999

Last action

—

Status

Became Public Law No: 106-163.

Sponsors

—

Subjects

Discovery layer

Source updated

24 March 2026

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Summary

Chippewa Cree Tribe of the Rocky Boy's Reservation Indian Reserved Water Rights Settlement Act of 1999 - 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. Provides that if approval by the appropriate court does not become final within three years after the filing of the decree or the decree is approved but subsequently set aside: (1) the approval and ratification of the Compact by the United States shall be null and void; and (2) this Act shall be of no further force and effect. (Sec. 6) Directs the Secretary to administer and enforce the Tribal Water Right until the approval of a tribal water code by the Tribe. 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, domestic, and incidental drought relief feasibility study of water and related resources in North Central Montana to evaluate alternatives for a municipal, rural, and industrial 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) Directs the Secretary: (1) through the Bureau, to plan, design, and construct specified water development projects on the Reservation; and (2) at the request of the Tribe, to enter into an agreement with the Tribe to carry out such activity through the Tribe's annual funding agreement entered into under the self- governance program under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act. (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. Sets forth management and investment requirements, terms, and conditions. (Sec. 11) Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 12) Describes the State contribution to the settlement. (Sec. 13) Provides that the Tribe, in exchange for benefits provided under this Act, shall not exercise its right to withdraw as a party to the Compact and shall release the United States from certain water rights claims and claims arising out of negotiation of the Compact and settlement. Entitles the United States, except in the event that the approval and ratification of the Compact by the United States becomes null and void.

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16 official files

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