{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/daines-tester-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-to-permanently-settle-cskt-water-dispute-protect-water-rights-of-all-montanans", "Daines, Tester Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Permanently Settle CSKT Water Dispute, Protect Water Rights of All Montanans", "2019-12-11", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.11.19\n\t\t\t Daines, Tester Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Permanently Settle CSKT Water Dispute, Protect Water Rights of All Montanans \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tU.S. SENATE  U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester today introduced the bipartisanMontana Water Rights Protection Act(MWRPA), a new agreement to permanently settle the century-old CSKT water dispute, and protect the water rights of all Montanans.\r\nAfter years of hard work and negotiations with the Tribe and other stakeholders across Montana, I'm pleased to introduce this bipartisan legislation today that will permanently protect the water rights of all Montanans,Daines said.This bipartisan bill and settlement is a good-faith compromise that will bring final resolution to a century long water dispute, avoid years of costly litigation, and save taxpayers over $400 million. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues in Congress, as well as the Trump administration, to get this important settlement for all of Montana across the finish line and signed into law.\r\nThis bill will help bring years of uncertainty for the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes, taxpayers, farmers, and ranchers to an end, Tester said. I'm glad the CSKT Water Compact now has the backing of folks on both sides ofthe aisle as well as the Trump Administrationso we can move full-steam ahead to honor our trust and treaty responsibilities, prevent costly litigation, boost economic development in the region, and give long-overdue piece of mind to everyone in Northwest Montana who uses our state's most valuable resource.\r\nThis bipartisan legislation will not have to be voted on by the State of Montana.\r\nTo download a copy of the bill, click HERE.\r\nKey Facts of MWRPA:\r\n \r\nProtects water rights of all Montanans across the state\r\nUpholds the United States' treaty and trust obligations to the Salish and Kootenai people\r\nPermanently relinquishes 97% of all CSKT's water claim rights with prejudice across Montana\r\nSaves taxpayers over $400 million\r\nProhibits the sale of water outside the State of Montana\r\n \r\n \r\nReturns management of the National Bison Range to CSKT, while protecting public access to the Range in statute. No such provision currently exists.\r\n \r\n \r\nProvides critical resources to upgrade and improve water infrastructure\r\nConserves critical fish habitat across NW Montana\r\nAuthorizes a process where the Department of the Interior, on behalf of CSKT, can negotiate with the State for future land swaps.\r\nProvides CSKT with $1.9 billionto settle damages and rehabilitate the Flathead Indian Irrigation Project\r\nProvides$10 million in road infrastructure funds to Lake and Sanders Counties\r\nAvoids litigation on over 10,000 claims in the state water court\r\nRequiresthe Unitary Management Board to dual-file water records with Montana DNRCand requires all meetings and proceedings open to the public\r\n \r\nBackground:\r\n \r\nLast week, Daines announced theframeworkof an agreement he'd reached with CSKT to settle the CSKT water dispute, and Senator Tester announced his support.\r\nEarlier this month, the Trump Administrationexpressed supportfor a settlement that would avoid litigation.\r\nInOctober, Daines sent a letter to the Department of the Interior requesting a formal review and guidance of alternative proposals.\r\nIn 2018, Daines met with legislators and irrigators who were proposing the People's Compact, and worked to address their concerns with the state passed compact.\r\nIn 2016, Tester first introduced a CSKT water compact in the Senate.\r\n \r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n  \n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/daines-tester-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-to-permanently-settle-cskt-water-dispute-protect-water-rights-of-all-montanans"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.0052109137177467, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}