Northern Montana Water Security Act of 2025

Settlement of Water Rights: The bill provides a fair, equitable, and final settlement of water rights claims for the Fort Belknap Indian Community and the United States (Section 102).

Protection of Water Rights: Tribal water rights will be held in trust and are protected from loss through non-use, forfeiture, or abandonment (Section 105(c)).

Irrigation Entitlements: Allottees are guaranteed a just and equitable allocation of water for irrigation purposes (Section 105(d)(3)).

Water Storage Access: The Fort Belknap Indian Community is allocated 20,000 acre-feet of water per year from Lake Elwell for various beneficial purposes (Section 107(a)).

Infrastructure Improvements: The act authorizes the modernization, expansion, and rehabilitation of the Fort Belknap Indian Irrigation Project (Section 109(a)).

Debt Relief: The Secretary is directed to cancel and eliminate all debts or liens against the land allotments held by the Fort Belknap Indian Community (Section 115(c)).

Land Acquisition: The bill allows for the transfer of Federal land into trust for the benefit of the Fort Belknap Indian Community (Section 106(b)(1)).

Increased Funding for Tribal Programs: The Fort Belknap Indian Community is permitted to seek additional funds for various Tribal programs or purposes (Section (f)(1)).

State-Based Funding Opportunities: The Fort Belknap Indian Community retains the ability to seek funding from the United States or the State based on their status as an Indian Tribe (Section (f)(2)).

Water Right Acquisition: Members or allottees of the Fort Belknap Indian Community can acquire or exercise water rights outside the Reservation by purchasing rights or applying under State law (Section (g)).

Water Storage and Importation: The Fort Belknap Indian Community can participate in projects that involve importing water or adding storage to the Milk River Basin (Section (h)).

Wastewater and Water Infrastructure: The Blackfeet Tribe is authorized to receive $250,000,000 for the planning, design, construction, operation, maintenance, and replacement of community water distribution and wastewater treatment facilities (Section 201).

Waiver of Claims: To reach this settlement, the Fort Belknap Indian Community and the United States must execute a waiver and release of several water rights claims (Section 111(a)).

Limitations on Land Use: Certain lands held in trust for the Fort Belknap Indian Community under this act are prohibited from being used for class II or class III gaming (Section 106(f)).

Easements on Land: Land transferred to the community, known as Dodson Land, will be subject to a perpetual easement for the use of the Bureau of Reclamation (Section 106(d)(2)).

Water Usage Restrictions: The allocation of water from Lake Elwell is subject to agreements that may include specific terms and conditions (Section 107(c)).

Financial Liability Risks: The United States is not held liable for failing to meet obligations if Congress does not provide enough money or if the Reclamation Water Settlements Fund has insufficient funds (Section 116).