Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Amendments Act of 2025

The Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Amendments Act of 2025 would modify the existing 2010 water rights agreement between the Crow Tribe of Montana and the state of Montana. The original settlement authorized the federal Bureau of Reclamation to rehabilitate the Crow Irrigation Project and develop a municipal, rural, and industrial water system for the reservation. This bill would make several technical and substantive changes to that agreement.

The bill would establish two dedicated funding accounts to support water infrastructure on the Crow Reservation. A new Crow CIP Implementation Account would provide interest-bearing funds to continue rehabilitation of the Crow Irrigation Project, while a separate MR&I Projects Account would require the tribe to use allocated funds specifically for water production, treatment, and delivery infrastructure. These accounts would help ensure sustained funding for critical water systems serving the reservation.

Additionally, the bill would extend the Crow Tribe's exclusive right to develop hydropower facilities at the Yellowtail Afterbay Dam by five years, moving the deadline from 2025 to 2030. This extension would give the tribe additional time to plan and potentially construct hydropower projects that could generate revenue and support energy needs on the reservation.

The bill has passed the Senate and is currently being considered by the House of Representatives. If enacted, these amendments would provide clearer funding mechanisms and extended development timelines for water and energy infrastructure benefiting the Crow Tribe and reservation residents.