[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 41 (Tuesday, March 16, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S2737]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. BURNS (for himself and Mr. Baucus):
  S. 624. 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.


                      FORT PECK RURAL WATER SYSTEM

  Mr. BURNS. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce a piece of 
legislation that is vitally important for the Northeast corner of my 
great state of Montana. As you are aware, water is the most valuable 
commodity in the West. Unfortunately, in many parts of the West the 
water available is unsafe to use. This is the case on the Fort Peck 
Reservation and in the surrounding communities.
  These communities are currently dependent on water sources that are 
either unreliable or contaminated. In some areas the ground water is in 
short supply, in others high levels of nitrates, sulfates, manganese, 
iron, dissolved solids and other contaminates ensure that the water is 
not only unusable for human consumption, but even unusable for 
livestock. Quite simply, the water is not safe.
  Safe drinking water is a necessity in all communities, however, these 
communities have a very unique set of needs that underscore the 
importance of clean water. This legislation would ensure the 
Assiniboine and Sioux people of the Fort Peck Reservation a safe and 
reliable water supply system. One of the largest reservations in the 
nation, the Fort Peck Reservation is located in Northeastern Montana 
and is the home of more than 10,000 people. In addition to a 75 percent 
unemployment rate, the residents suffer from unusually high incidents 
of heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes.
  These health problems are magnified by the poor drinking water 
currently available on the reservation. In one community, the sulfate 
levels in the water are four times the standard for safe drinking 
water. In four other communities, the iron levels are five times the 
standard. Some families have even been forced to abandon their homes as 
a result of the substandard water quality.
  In many cases, residents of the reservation purchased bottled water 
to avoid illness. While this isn't a big deal to those who can afford 
it, we are dealing with an area living in extreme poverty. To add 
insult to injury, one of the largest man made reservoirs in the United 
States is right down the road. Why must we continue to ask the 
residents of these communities to place their health at risk when a 
clean, safe, stable source of water is readily available?
  The economic health of the region is also affected by the poor water 
supply. In fact, a major constraint on the growth of the livestock 
industry around Fort Peck has been the lack of an adequate watering 
sites for cattle. Only an adequate water system will solve this 
problem, and hopefully serve to spur economic activity on the 
reservation. Recently the administration designated this area as an 
``Empowerment Zone.'' The purpose of this designation is to help the 
tribal government enhance the economic and social well-being of the 
area's residents. What better foundation can we provide than a safe and 
reliable water infrastructure. This region's aspirations towards being 
healthy, both economically and physically, will continue to be stifled 
until we reach out a helping hand and work towards providing a safe 
water system.
  This legislation, which has the support of Fort Peck residents and 
the endorsement of the Tribal Council of the Assiniboine and Sioux 
Tribes, would authorize a reservation-wide municipal, rural and 
industrial water system for the Fort Peck Reservation. A safe and 
reliable source of water would improve the health status of the 
residents and increase the region's attractiveness for economic 
development.
  As the future water needs of the Fort Peck Reservation expand, I 
believe that it is only right that we take action now. The people of 
the Fort Peck Reservation and the State of Montana are making a simple 
request--clean, safe drinking water.
  Thank you Mr. President.

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