[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 76 (Thursday, June 5, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5355-S5356]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. BURNS (for himself and Mr. Baucus):
  S. 841. A bill to authorize construction of the Fort Peck Reservation 
Rural Water System in the State of Montana, and for other purposes; to 
the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.


        The Fort Peck Reservation Rural Water System Act of 1997

  Mr. BURNS. Madam President, today I introduce a bill that will ensure 
the Assiniboine and Sioux people of the Fort Peck Reservation in 
Montana a safe and reliable water supply system. The Fort Peck 
Reservation is located in northeastern Montana. It is one of the 
largest reservations in the United States, and has a population of more 
than 10,000. The Fort Peck Reservation faces problems similar to all 
reservations in the country, that of remote rural areas. This 
reservation also suffers from a very high unemployment rate, 75 
percent. Added to all this, the populations on the reservation suffer 
from high incidents of heart disease, high blood pressure, and 
diabetes. A safe and reliable source of water is needed to both improve 
the health status of the residents and to encourage economic 
development and thereby self-sufficiency for this area.
  This legislation would authorize a reservation-wide municipal, rural, 
and industrial water system for the Fort Peck Reservation. It would 
provide a much needed boost to the future of the region and for 
economic development, and ultimately economic self-sufficiency for the 
entire area. My bill has the support of the residents of the 
reservation and the endorsement of the tribal council of the 
Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes.
  The residents of the Fort Peck Reservation are now plagued with major 
drinking water problems. In one of the communities, the sulfate levels 
in the water are four times the standard for safe drinking water. In 
four of the communities the iron levels are five times

[[Page S5356]]

the standard. Sadly, some families were forced to abandon their homes 
as a result of substandard water quality. Basically, the present water 
supply system is inadequate and unreliable to supply a safe water 
supply to those people that live on the reservation.
  Several of the local water systems have had occurrences of biological 
contamination in recent years. As a result, the Indian Health Service 
has been forced to issue several health alerts for drinking water. In 
many cases, residents of reservation communities are forced to purchase 
bottled water. Not a big deal to those who can afford it, but difficult 
to a population that has the unemployment rate found on the 
Reservation. All this, despite the fact that within spitting distance 
is one of the largest man-made reservoirs in the United States, built 
on the Missouri River.
  Agriculture continues to maintain the No. 1 position in terms of 
economic impact in Montana. In a rural area like the Fort Peck 
Reservation agriculture plays the key role in the economy, more so than 
in many areas of the State. The water system authorized by the 
legislation will not only provide a good source of drinking water, but 
also a water supply necessary to protect and preserve the livestock 
operations on the reservation. A major constraint on the growth of the 
livestock industry around Fort Peck has been the lack of an 
adequate watering site for cattle. This water supply system would 
provide the necessary water taps to fill watering tanks for livestock, 
which in normal times would boost the local economy of the region and 
the State. An additional benefit of this system would be more effective 
use of water for both water and soil conservation and rangeland 
management.

  The future water needs of the reservation are expanding. Data shows 
that the reservation population is growing, as many tribal members are 
returning to the reservation. It is clear that the people that live on 
the reservation, both tribal and nontribal members, are in desperate 
need of a safe and reliable source of drinking water.
  The solutions to this need for an adequate and safe water supply is a 
reservation wide water pipeline that will deliver a safe and reliable 
source of water to the residents. In addition this water project will 
be constructed in size to allow communities off the reservation the 
future ability to tap into the system. A similar system for water 
distribution is currently in use on a reservation in South Dakota.
  The surrounding communities have also agreed with the importance of 
this system. Last year when I introduced this bill, there were no 
additional communities signed on to the system. Today, the surrounding 
communities have signed on and look at this system as a means of 
supplying clean, safe drinking water to their residents.
  The people of the Fort Peck Reservation, and the State of Montana are 
only asking for one basic life necessity. Good, clean, safe drinking 
water. This is something that the more developed regions of the Nation 
take for granted, but in rural America we still seek to develop.
  I realize the importance of getting this bill introduced and placed 
before the proper committee. This action will allow us to move forward 
and provide a basic necessity to the people of this region in Montana. 
Good, clean, safe drinking water.
  Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, I am pleased to join Senator Burns today 
in introducing legislation that authorizes the construction of a 
municipal, rural, and industrial water system for the Assiniboine and 
Sioux Tribes of the Fort Peck Reservation.
  The reservation has long been plagued by major drinking water 
problems including both inadequate supplies and unacceptable water 
quality. Ground water, the primary source of drinking water for many 
reservation residents, often exceeds the standards for total dissolved 
solids, iron, sulfates, nitrates, and in some cases for selenium, 
manganese and fluorine.
  Bacterial contamination of domestic water supplies has also been a 
recurring problem. On several occasions the Indian Health Service and 
Tribal Health Office have had to issue public health alerts regarding 
drinking water. In short, the very health of residents of the Fort Peck 
Reservation depends on construction of this pipeline.
  A safe and adequate supply of water is a necessity if the Fort Peck 
Nation is to realize its dream of economic development and full 
employment. The reservation economy is based on ranching and farming 
but expansion of agricultural operations is severely limited by the 
lack of adequate stockwater supplies. Additionally more effective 
distribution of water would result in more effective soil conservation 
and improvement of the native rangeland.
  The Bureau of Reclamation has determined that a regional MR&I water 
supply system using water from the Missouri River is a feasible 
alternative for addressing the serious water problems facing Fort Peck. 
This legislation will make that alternative a reality for the people of 
the Fort Peck Reservation.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting authorization of this 
critical project.
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