[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 127 (Tuesday, July 29, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S7594]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         CROW WATER SETTLEMENT

  Mr. BAUCUS. President Lyndon Johnson once wrote:

       A nation that fails to plan intelligently for the 
     development and protection of its precious waters will be 
     condemned to wither because of its shortsightedness. The hard 
     lessons of history are clear, written on the deserted sands 
     and ruins of once proud civilizations.

  I rise today to talk about a proud Nation from my home State of 
Montana that is planning for the development and protection of its 
priceless water.
  The nation I am referring to is the Crow Nation, and today, along 
with Senator Tester, I introduced a bill to ratify the Crow Tribe's 
water compact.
  This compact will protect the Crow Tribe's water rights, provide for 
the development of municipal and agricultural water systems, and create 
good paying jobs. Everyone has a right to have access to clean, 
reliable water, and Senator Tester and I are here today to help make 
sure that right is upheld.
  In 1908, the Supreme Court established that when Congress set aside 
land for Native American tribes, it also reserved water rights for the 
tribes to develop their lands for agriculture. The Crow Tribe has 
waited nearly 100 years to secure the rights to its water. The bill I 
am introducing today will ensure that the Crow people can finally 
access the water that is rightly theirs while protecting the water 
rights of nontribal water users.
  This bill that Senator Tester and I are introducing also ensures that 
the Crow Tribe has the infrastructure it needs to develop its water 
resources. To this end, the bill authorizes funding for a drinking 
water system that will bring clean water to families across the 
reservation. This project will help protect public health and help 
create good paying jobs.
  The bill also authorizes the rehabilitation of the Crow Tribe's 
irrigation system. The Crows' land is important to their identity, 
their history, and their economy. Rehabilitating the Crow Tribe's 
irrigation system will ensure that Crow farmers and ranchers can work 
their land for generations to come.
  Mr. President, the Crow Nation is a proud nation with abundant water 
resources. The bill I have developed with the Crow tribal leadership is 
a reflection of the Crow people's good foresight. This legislation will 
protect the Crow Tribe's water, create good paying jobs, and ensure 
that the Crow continue to be a proud and prosperous people.

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