(Washington D.C.) – A critical water project for northeast Montana is headed to the President’s desk after winning final approval in the United States Senate. They passed a bill this week to reauthorize the Fort Peck Reservation Rural Water System Act.
The legislation extends the Bureau of Reclamation’s authority to continue constructing essential water infrastructure in the Fort Peck Reservation and across Roosevelt, Sheridan, Valley, and Daniels counties. The project, which brings together Tribal and non-Tribal communities, is already ninety-five percent complete.
Lawmakers say the extension from December 2026 to December 2028 is vital to keep construction on track. Senator Steve Daines called the passage huge news, stating that access to safe and reliable water is an absolute necessity. Representative Troy Downing added that the extension ensures these critical infrastructure projects stay on schedule.Local water officials praise the bipartisan effort, calling the historic pipeline project life-changing for the people of northeast Montana.
