Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
We're working to fix a technical issue causing problems with our broadcasts. We'll have it resolved as soon as possible. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Montana politics, elections and legislative news

U.S. Senate Approves Blackfeet Water Settlement

Seal of the Blackfeet Nation
Courtesy Blackfeet Nation

The U.S. Senate has approved a $420 million water rights settlement with Montana's Blackfeet American Indian tribe as part of the larger Water Resources Development Act.

Thursday's vote sends the act to the U.S. House of Representatives, where it must pass before the year ends.

The settlement proposes to rehabilitate the Four Horns Dam and Blackfeet Irrigation Project and make other improvements on the Blackfeet tribe's northwestern Montana reservation.

Negotiations on the agreement began more than 30 years ago. It was approved by the Montana Legislature in 2009.

Prior attempts failed to advance the settlement through Congress. The administration of President Barack Obama objected to its original price tag of $591 million.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Become a sustaining member for as low as $5/month
Make an annual or one-time donation to support MTPR
Pay an existing pledge or update your payment information
Related Content