Daines, Heinrich, Zinke, Fernandez Call for Completion of Tribal Water Settlements

• September 5, 2025

U.S. SENATE - U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) as well as Representatives Ryan Zinke (MT-01) and Teresa Leger Fernandez (N.M.-03) led a letter to Leader John Thune, Speaker Mike Johnson, and additional chairs and ranking members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives calling for the completion of current outstanding water settlements and related technical amendments.

"We write as members representing states and districts with pending Indian water rights settlements. Completion of these settlements will save taxpayers millions of dollars, provide water access and certainty to Tribal and non-Tribal water users across the West, avoid years of protracted and costly litigation, and support the United States' trust responsibility to Indian Country. We urge you to prioritize passage of these bills and utilize an extension of Customs User Fees to offset the costs of those that require new spending," they wrote in the letter.

Senators Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) and Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), as well as Representatives Troy Downing (MT-02), Melanie Stansbury (NM-01), and Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) also joined the letter.

Read the full letter HERE.

Background:

The Northern Montana Water Security Act is the last remaining water settlement in Montana. Daines has been advocating for its completion- read his recent remarks in a Senate Indian Affairs committee hearing HERE. In January 2025, Daines led the Montana delegation in introducing the "Northern Montana Water Security Act." Read the release HERE.

The Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Amendments Act would make technical adjustments to the Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2009 to ensure the Crow Tribe can successfully implement its water rights settlement. It will give the Crow Tribe the necessary flexibility to deliver clean water to the reservation and complete critical energy development projects without reopening the existing settlement.

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Contact: Matt Lloyd, Gabby Wiggins