[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 12]
[House]
[Pages 17688-17691]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



          FORT PECK RESERVATION RURAL WATER SYSTEM ACT OF 2000

  Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the Senate bill (S. 624) to authorize construction of the Fort 
Peck Reservation Rural Water System in the State of Montana, and for 
other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                                 S. 624

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Fort Peck Reservation Rural 
     Water System Act of 2000''.

     SEC. 2. PURPOSES.

       The purposes of this Act are--
       (1) to ensure a safe and adequate municipal, rural, and 
     industrial water supply for the residents of the Fort Peck 
     Indian Reservation in the State of Montana; and
       (2) to assist the citizens of Roosevelt, Sheridan, Daniels, 
     and Valley Counties in the State, outside the Fort Peck 
     Indian Reservation, in developing safe and adequate 
     municipal, rural, and industrial water supplies.

     SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1)  Assiniboine and sioux rural water system.--The term 
     ``Assiniboine and Sioux Rural Water System'' means the rural 
     water system

[[Page 17689]]

     within the Fort Peck Indian Reservation authorized by section 
     4.
       (2) Dry prairie rural water system.--The term ``Dry Prairie 
     Rural Water System'' means the rural water system authorized 
     by section 5 in the Roosevelt, Sheridan, Daniels, and Valley 
     Counties of the State.
       (3) Fort peck reservation rural water system.--The term 
     ``Fort Peck Reservation Rural Water System'' means the 
     Assiniboine and Sioux Rural Water System and the Dry Prairie 
     Rural Water System.
       (4) Fort peck tribes.--The term ``Fort Peck Tribes'' means 
     the Assiniboine and Sioux Indian Tribes within the Fort Peck 
     Indian Reservation.
       (5) Pick-sloan.--The term ``Pick-Sloan'' means the Pick-
     Sloan Missouri River Basin Program (authorized by section 9 
     of the Act entitled ``An Act authorizing the construction of 
     certain public works on rivers and harbors for flood control, 
     and for other purposes'', approved December 22, 1944 
     (commonly known as the ``Flood Control Act of 1944'') (58 
     Stat. 891)).
       (6) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of the Interior.
       (7) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of Montana.

      SEC. 4. ASSINIBOINE AND SIOUX RURAL WATER SYSTEM.

       (a) Authorization.--The Secretary shall plan, design, 
     construct, operate, maintain, and replace a municipal, rural, 
     and industrial water system, to be known as the ``Assiniboine 
     and Sioux Rural Water System'', as generally described in the 
     report required by subsection (g)(2).
       (b) Components.--The Assiniboine and Sioux Rural Water 
     System shall consist of--
       (1) pumping and treatment facilities located along the 
     Missouri River within the boundaries of the Fort Peck Indian 
     Reservation;
       (2) pipelines extending from the water treatment plant 
     throughout the Fort Peck Indian Reservation;
       (3) distribution and treatment facilities to serve the 
     needs of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation, including--
       (A) public water systems in existence on the date of 
     enactment of this Act that may be purchased, improved, and 
     repaired in accordance with the cooperative agreement entered 
     into under subsection (c); and
       (B) water systems owned by individual tribal members and 
     other residents of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation;
       (4) appurtenant buildings and access roads;
       (5) all property and property rights necessary for the 
     facilities described in this subsection;
       (6) electrical power transmission and distribution 
     facilities necessary for services to Fort Peck Reservation 
     Rural Water System facilities; and
       (7) such other pipelines, pumping plants, and facilities as 
     the Secretary determines to be appropriate to meet the water 
     supply, economic, public health, and environmental needs of 
     the Fort Peck Indian Reservation, including water storage 
     tanks, water lines, and other facilities for the Fort Peck 
     Tribes and the villages, towns, and municipalities in the 
     Fort Peck Indian Reservation.
       (c) Cooperative Agreement.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary shall enter into a 
     cooperative agreement with the Fort Peck Tribal Executive 
     Board for planning, designing, constructing, operating, 
     maintaining, and replacing the Assiniboine and Sioux Rural 
     Water System.
       (2) Mandatory provisions.--The cooperative agreement under 
     paragraph (1) shall specify, in a manner that is acceptable 
     to the Secretary and the Fort Peck Tribal Executive Board--
       (A) the responsibilities of each party to the agreement 
     for--
       (i) needs assessment, feasibility, and environmental 
     studies;
       (ii) engineering and design;
       (iii) construction;
       (iv) water conservation measures; and
       (v) administration of contracts relating to performance of 
     the activities described in clauses (i) through (iv);
       (B) the procedures and requirements for approval and 
     acceptance of the design and construction and for carrying 
     out other activities described in subparagraph (A); and
       (C) the rights, responsibilities, and liabilities of each 
     party to the agreement.
       (3) Optional provisions.--The cooperative agreement under 
     paragraph (1) may include provisions relating to the 
     purchase, improvement, and repair of water systems in 
     existence on the date of enactment of this Act, including 
     systems owned by individual tribal members and other 
     residents of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation.
       (4) Termination.--The Secretary may terminate a cooperative 
     agreement under paragraph (1) if the Secretary determines 
     that--
       (A) the quality of construction does not meet all standards 
     established for similar facilities constructed by the 
     Secretary; or
       (B) the operation and maintenance of the Assiniboine and 
     Sioux Rural Water System does not meet conditions acceptable 
     to the Secretary that are adequate to fulfill the obligations 
     of the United States to the Fort Peck Tribes.
       (5) Transfer.--On execution of a cooperative agreement 
     under paragraph (1), in accordance with the cooperative 
     agreement, the Secretary may transfer to the Fort Peck 
     Tribes, on a nonreimbursable basis, funds made available for 
     the Assiniboine and Sioux Rural Water System under section 9.
       (d) Service Area.--The service area of the Assiniboine and 
     Sioux Rural Water System shall be the area within the 
     boundaries of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation.
       (e) Construction Requirements.--The components of the 
     Assiniboine and Sioux Rural Water System shall be planned and 
     constructed to a size that is sufficient to meet the 
     municipal, rural, and industrial water supply requirements of 
     the service area of the Fort Peck Reservation Rural Water 
     System.
       (f) Title to Assiniboine and Sioux Rural Water System.--
     Title to the Assiniboine and Sioux Rural Water System shall 
     be held in trust by the United States for the Fort Peck 
     Tribes and shall not be transferred unless a transfer is 
     authorized by an Act of Congress enacted after the date of 
     enactment of this Act.
       (g) Limitation on Availability of Construction Funds.--The 
     Secretary shall not obligate funds for construction of the 
     Assiniboine and Sioux Rural Water System until--
       (1) the requirements of the National Environmental Policy 
     Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) are met with respect to 
     the Assiniboine and Sioux Rural Water System;
       (2) on or after the date that is 90 days after the date of 
     submission to Congress of a final engineering report approved 
     by the Secretary; and
       (3) the Secretary publishes a written finding that the 
     water conservation plan developed under section 7 includes 
     prudent and reasonable water conservation measures for the 
     operation of the Assiniboine and Sioux Rural Water System 
     that have been shown to be economically and financially 
     feasible.
       (h) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary shall provide such 
     technical assistance as is necessary to enable the Fort Peck 
     Tribes to plan, design, construct, operate, maintain, and 
     replace the Assiniboine and Sioux Rural Water System, 
     including operation and management training.
       (i) Application of Indian Self-Determination Act.--
     Planning, design, construction, operation, maintenance, and 
     replacement of the Assiniboine and Sioux Rural Water System 
     within the Fort Peck Indian Reservation shall be subject to 
     the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act 
     (25 U.S.C. 450 et seq.).
       (j) Cost Sharing.--
       (1) Construction.--The Federal share of the cost of 
     construction of the Assiniboine and Sioux Rural Water System 
     shall be 100 percent, and shall be funded through annual 
     appropriations to the Bureau of Reclamation.
       (2) Operation and maintenance.--The Federal share of the 
     cost of operation and maintenance of the Assiniboine and 
     Sioux Rural Water System shall be 100 percent, and shall be 
     funded through annual appropriations to the Bureau of Indian 
     Affairs.

      SEC. 5. DRY PRAIRIE RURAL WATER SYSTEM.

       (a) Planning and Construction.--
       (1) Authorization.--The Secretary shall enter into a 
     cooperative agreement with Dry Prairie Rural Water 
     Association Incorporated (or any successor non-Federal 
     entity) to provide Federal funds for the planning, design, 
     and construction of the Dry Prairie Rural Water System in 
     Roosevelt, Sheridan, Daniels, and Valley Counties, Montana, 
     outside the Fort Peck Indian Reservation.
       (2) Use of federal funds.--
       (A) Federal share.--The Federal share of the cost of 
     planning, design, and construction of the Dry Prairie Rural 
     Water System shall be not more than 76 percent, and shall be 
     funded with amounts appropriated from the reclamation fund. 
     Such amounts shall not be returnable or reimbursable under 
     the Federal reclamation laws.
       (B) Cooperative agreements.--Federal funds made available 
     to carry out this section may be obligated and expended only 
     through a cooperative agreement entered into under subsection 
     (c).
       (b) Components.--The components of the Dry Prairie Rural 
     Water System facilities on which Federal funds may be 
     obligated and expended under this section shall include--
       (1) storage, pumping, interconnection, and pipeline 
     facilities;
       (2) appurtenant buildings and access roads;
       (3) all property and property rights necessary for the 
     facilities described in this subsection;
       (4) electrical power transmission and distribution 
     facilities necessary for service to Dry Prairie Rural Water 
     System facilities; and
       (5) other facilities customary to the development of rural 
     water distribution systems in the State, including 
     supplemental water intake, pumping, and treatment facilities.
       (c) Cooperative Agreement.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary, with the concurrence of the 
     Assiniboine and Sioux Rural Water System Board, shall enter 
     into a cooperative agreement with Dry Prairie Rural Water 
     Association Incorporated to provide Federal assistance for 
     the planning, design, and construction of the Dry Prairie 
     Rural Water System.
       (2) Mandatory provisions.--The cooperative agreement under 
     paragraph (1) shall specify, in a manner that is acceptable 
     to the Secretary and Dry Prairie Rural Water Association 
     Incorporated--
       (A) the responsibilities of each party to the agreement 
     for--
       (i) needs assessment, feasibility, and environmental 
     studies;
       (ii) engineering and design;
       (iii) construction;
       (iv) water conservation measures; and
       (v) administration of contracts relating to performance of 
     the activities described in clauses (i) through (iv);
       (B) the procedures and requirements for approval and 
     acceptance of the design and construction and for carrying 
     out other activities described in subparagraph (A); and

[[Page 17690]]

       (C) the rights, responsibilities, and liabilities of each 
     party to the agreement.
       (d) Service Area.--
       (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the 
     service area of the Dry Prairie Rural Water System shall be 
     the area in the State--
       (A) north of the Missouri River;
       (B) south of the border between the United States and 
     Canada;
       (C) west of the border between the States of North Dakota 
     and Montana; and
       (D) east of the western line of range 39 east.
       (2) Fort peck indian reservation.--The service area shall 
     not include the area inside the Fort Peck Indian Reservation.
       (e) Limitation on Availability of Construction Funds.--The 
     Secretary shall not obligate funds for construction of the 
     Dry Prairie Rural Water System until--
       (1) the requirements of the National Environmental Policy 
     Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) are met with respect to 
     the Dry Prairie Rural Water System;
       (2) on or after the date that is 90 days after the date of 
     submission to Congress of a final engineering report approved 
     by the Secretary; and
       (3) the Secretary publishes a written finding that the 
     water conservation plan developed under section 7 includes 
     prudent and reasonable water conservation measures for the 
     operation of the Dry Prairie Rural Water System that have 
     been shown to be economically and financially feasible.
       (f) Interconnection of Facilities.--The Secretary shall--
       (1) interconnect the Dry Prairie Rural Water System with 
     the Assiniboine and Sioux Rural Water System; and
       (2) provide for the delivery of water to the Dry Prairie 
     Rural Water System from the Missouri River through the 
     Assiniboine and Sioux Rural Water System.
       (g) Limitation on Use of Federal Funds.--
       (1) In general.--The operation, maintenance, and 
     replacement expenses associated with water deliveries from 
     the Assiniboine and Sioux Rural Water System to the Dry 
     Prairie Rural Water System shall not be a Federal 
     responsibility and shall be borne by the Dry Prairie Rural 
     Water System.
       (2) Federal funds.--The Secretary may not obligate or 
     expend any Federal funds for the operation, maintenance, or 
     replacement of the Dry Prairie Rural Water System.
       (h) Title to Dry Prairie Rural Water System.--Title to the 
     Dry Prairie Rural Water System shall be held by Dry Prairie 
     Rural Water Association, Incorporated.

      SEC. 6. USE OF PICK-SLOAN POWER.

       (a) In General.--From power designated for future 
     irrigation and drainage pumping for the Pick-Sloan Missouri 
     Basin program, the Western Area Power Administration shall 
     make available, at the firm power rate, the capacity and 
     energy required to meet the pumping and incidental 
     operational requirements of the Fort Peck Reservation Rural 
     Water System.
       (b) Qualification to Use Pick-Sloan Power.--For as long as 
     the Fort Peck Reservation rural water supply system operates 
     on a not-for-profit basis, the portions of the water supply 
     project constructed with assistance under this Act shall be 
     eligible to receive firm power from the Pick-Sloan Missouri 
     Basin program established by section 9 of the Act of December 
     22, 1944 (chapter 665; 58 Stat. 887), popularly known as the 
     Flood Control Act of 1944.
       (c) Recovery of Expenses.--
       (1) Assiniboine and sioux rural water system.--In the case 
     of the Assiniboine and Sioux Rural Water System, the Western 
     Area Power Administration shall recover expenses associated 
     with power purchases under subsection (a) through a separate 
     power charge sufficient to cover such expenses. Such charge 
     shall be paid fully through the annual appropriations to the 
     Bureau of Indian Affairs.
       (2) Dry prairie rural water system.--In the case of the Dry 
     Prairie Rural Water System, the Western Area Power 
     Administration shall recover expenses associated with power 
     purchases under subsection (a) through a separate power 
     charge sufficient to cover expenses. Such charge shall be 
     paid fully by the Dry Prairie Rural Water System.
       (d) Additional Power.--If power in addition to that made 
     available under subsection (a) is required to meet the 
     pumping requirements of the Fort Peck Reservation Rural Water 
     System, the Administrator of the Western Area Power 
     Administration may purchase the necessary additional power at 
     the best available rate. The costs of such purchases shall be 
     reimbursed to the Administrator according to the terms 
     identified in subsection (c).

     SEC. 7. WATER CONSERVATION PLAN.

       (a) In General.--The Fort Peck Tribes and Dry Prairie Rural 
     Water Association Incorporated shall develop a water 
     conservation plan containing--
       (1) a description of water conservation objectives;
       (2) a description of appropriate water conservation 
     measures; and
       (3) a time schedule for implementing the measures and this 
     Act to meet the water conservation objectives.
       (b) Purpose.--The water conservation plan under subsection 
     (a) shall be designed to ensure that users of water from the 
     Assiniboine and Sioux Rural Water System and the Dry Prairie 
     Rural Water System will use the best practicable technology 
     and management techniques to conserve water.
       (c) Public Participation.--Section 210(c) of the 
     Reclamation Reform Act of 1982 (43 U.S.C. 390jj(c)) shall 
     apply to an activity authorized under this Act.

      SEC. 8. WATER RIGHTS.

       (a) In General.--This Act does not--
       (1) impair the validity of or preempt any provision of 
     State water law or any interstate compact governing water;
       (2) alter the right of any State to any appropriated share 
     of the water of any body of surface or ground water, whether 
     determined by any past or future interstate compact or by any 
     past or future legislative or final judicial allocation;
       (3) preempt or modify any Federal or State law or 
     interstate compact concerning water quality or disposal;
       (4) confer on any non-Federal entity the authority to 
     exercise any Federal right to the water of any stream or to 
     any ground water resource;
       (5) affect any right of the Fort Peck Tribes to water, 
     located within or outside the external boundaries of the Fort 
     Peck Indian Reservation, based on a treaty, compact, 
     executive order, agreement, Act of Congress, aboriginal 
     title, the decision in Winters v. United States, 207 U.S. 564 
     (1908) (commonly known as the ``Winters Doctrine''), or other 
     law; or
       (6) validate or invalidate any assertion of the existence, 
     nonexistence, or extinguishment of any water right held or 
     Indian water compact entered into by the Fort Peck Tribes or 
     by any other Indian tribe or individual Indian under Federal 
     or State law.
       (b) Offset Against Claims.--Any funds received by the Fort 
     Peck Tribes pursuant to this Act shall be used to offset any 
     claims for money damages against the United States by the 
     Fort Peck Tribes, existing on the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, for water rights based on a treaty, compact, 
     executive order, agreement, Act of Congress, aboriginal 
     title, the decision in Winters v. United States, 207 U.S. 564 
     (1908), or other law.

      SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       (a) Assiniboine and Sioux Rural Water System.--There are 
     authorized to be appropriated--
       (1) to the Bureau of Reclamation over a period of 10 fiscal 
     years, $124,000,000 for the planning, design, and 
     construction of the Assiniboine and Sioux Rural Water System; 
     and
       (2) to the Bureau of Indian Affairs such sums as are 
     necessary for the operation and maintenance of the 
     Assiniboine and Sioux Rural Water System.
       (b) Dry Prairie Rural Water System.--There is authorized to 
     be appropriated, over a period of 10 fiscal years, 
     $51,000,000 for the planning, design, and construction of the 
     Dry Prairie Rural Water System.
       (c) Cost Indexing.--The funds authorized to be appropriated 
     may be increased or decreased by such amounts as are 
     justified by reason of ordinary fluctuations in development 
     costs incurred after October 1, 1998, as indicated by 
     engineering cost indices applicable for the type of 
     construction involved.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Quinn). Pursuant to the rule, the 
gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Walden) and the gentleman from American 
Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Walden).


                             General Leave

  Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend 
their remarks on S. 624, as amended.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Oregon?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, S. 624 was introduced by Senator Burns and a companion 
bill, H.R. 1124, was introduced by the gentleman from Montana (Mr. 
Hill).
  The Fort Peck Reservation is located in northeastern Montana, and 
suffers from the same problem of inadequate quantity and quality of 
water supplies as do most areas in the High Plains. The adjacent 
communities have the same problems, and this legislation contemplates 
that the reservation water system would be sized to connect to a 
distribution system for the surrounding communities.
  All costs of the reservation system, including operations and 
maintenance, would be a Federal responsibility. The costs associated 
with the operation and maintenance of the system for the tribe shall be 
funded through annual appropriations to the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
  Federal costs for the Dry Prairie system shall not exceed 76 percent, 
and the Federal government may not expend any Federal funds for 
operations, maintenance, or replacement costs for the Dry Prairie 
system.

[[Page 17691]]

  Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of the Senate bill, S. 624, and I reserve 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend, the gentleman from Oregon, for 
the management of this legislation. I do want to compliment and commend 
the gentleman from Montana, Senator Conrad Burns, for his sponsorship 
of Senate bill 624.
  The bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to plan, design, 
construct, operate, maintain, and replace the Assiniboine and Sioux 
rural water systems within the Fort Peck Indian Reservation in Montana, 
and directs the Secretary to enter into a cooperative agreement with 
the tribe. All costs of the Indian system would be nonreimbursable.
  The bill also authorizes the Dry Prairie Rural Water System, a 
project to serve non-Indian residents in the area, with the Federal 
Government paying 76 percent of those project costs. The Dry Prairie 
system would be interconnected with the Fort Peck Reservation system.
  I note that S. 624 is opposed by the administration, primarily 
because the administration believes the costs of non-Indian water 
supply projects should be fully reimbursed by the project 
beneficiaries. While I agree we should make every attempt to comply 
with this policy goal, I believe that in this case some Federal cost-
sharing is appropriate.
  I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
  Mr. HILL of Montana. Mr. Speaker, I support and urge the passage of 
S. 624, The Fort Peck Rural Reservation Rural Water System Act. This 
bill authorizes the construction of a fresh water system for residents 
on and near the Fort Peck Indian Reservation in northeast Montana. I 
introduced companion legislation along with Senator Burns, and a 
version of his bill has already passed the Senate.
  The need for a safe and reliable water source is particularly acute 
on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation. In one community, sulfate levels 
in the water are four times the standard for safe drinking water, and 
in four communities, iron levels are five times the standard. The 
unemployment rate on the Fort Peck Reservation is near 75 percent, and 
the reservation has been plagued by health alerts for drinking water, 
despite the fact that the area is located near one of the largest 
manmade reservoirs in the United States. Health problems such as heart 
disease, high blood pressure and diabetes run rampant.
  A safe and reliable source of water is necessary to both improve 
health and stimulate economic development on the reservation and in an 
area of Montana far remote from any major population centers. Those who 
live on the Fort Peck Reservation and in nearby communities deserve the 
peace of mind that comes with a safe supply of water. S. 624 will 
improve the water systems for at least 24,000 Montanans in this area, 
and will provide water not only for drinking, but also for agriculture.
  I would like to take this opportunity to thank a few of the people 
without whom this bill would not have been possible. Former Montana 
Lieutenant Governor Dennis Rehberg brought this issue to the attention 
of House Leadership while Speaker Hastert was visiting Montana. Without 
the renewed momentum due to Mr. Rehberg's efforts and the integrity of 
the House Leadership, the water safety issues at Fort Peck may have 
gone unaddressed. I would especially like to thank Chairman Doolittle 
for his willingness not only to work with all those involved in the 
bill, but to spearhead efforts to find a solution to this problem.
  And certainly not least of all, I would like to thank Senator Conrad 
Burns for being the champion of this project in the Senate. He has put 
an extraordinary amount of work and effort into improving the lives and 
health of the people in the Fort Peck area, and the residents there owe 
him a debt of gratitude for moving this dream to the brink of reality.
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, 
and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for 
time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Walden) that the House suspend the rules and 
pass the Senate bill, S. 624, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the Senate bill, as amended, was 
passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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