July 12, 2007

Rehberg Secures $5 Million in Funding for Rocky Boy’s/ North Central Montana Water Project

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today secured $5 million in funding for the Rocky Boy’s/North Central Montana Water Project in the Energy and Water Appropriations bill. 

            “Every Montanan deserves good, clean drinking water,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee.  “However, in many parts of rural Montana this is not the case.  The North Central Montana project is a cooperative solution to providing fresh water to the folks on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation and in the surrounding communities.”

The Rocky Boy's/North Central Montana Regional Water System will provide 7.3 percent of Montana's land base with a cost-effective, high-quality water source. Once completed, the water system will serve more than 30,000 people on the Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation and in north-central Montana.

The funds will be used to complete the substructure and superstructure of the intake at Tiber Reservoir.  Residents affected by the system include the Rocky Boy’s Reservation and the residents residing in Chouteau, Glacier, Hill Liberty, Pondera, Teton, and Toole Counties.

"I wish to thank Congressman Rehberg for his hard work for the tribe in securing construction funds for our regional water project,” said Chairman John Houle of the Chippewa Cree Tribal Council.  "We appreciate Denny's leadership over the years and his hard work for the tribe and North Central Montanans with bringing clean drinking water to our communities.  With this appropriation, the Rocky Boy's / Northcentral Montana Regional Water Project will become a reality and it will get us a step closer to bringing clean drinking water to our communities."

“These funds are another victory for the North Central project,” said Rehberg.  “Now, we’re that much closer to getting the system up and running.”