Congressman Downing's Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Amendments Act Passes House

Image September 16, 2026 Press Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed S. 240, the Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Amendments Act of 2025, legislation led by Senator Steve Daines in the Senate and championed by Congressman Troy Downing in the House. The bill now heads to the President’s desk. The legislation updates the Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2010 to provide the Crow Tribe with greater flexibility to develop water infrastructure and keep long-overdue projects on the reservation moving forward. The original settlement ratified the water rights compact between the Crow Tribe and the State of Montana and authorized the Bureau of Reclamation to rehabilitate the Crow Irrigation Project (CIP) and construct a Municipal, Rural, and Industrial (MR&I) water system. S. 240 modernizes that framework by converting the MR&I component from a single centralized project into a more flexible, localized approach. Instead of one large system, the legislation allows the Tribe to develop smaller water and wastewater projects tailored to the needs of individual communities across the reservation. In addition, the legislation extends the Crow Tribe's exclusive right to develop a hydropower project at the Yellowtail Afterbay Dam for five years, through 2030, helping support future energy development on the reservation. “Access to clean and reliable water is critical for the Crow Tribe and the communities it serves,” said Congressman Downing . “I’m proud the House passed this legislation and sent it to the President’s desk. I want to thank Senator Daines for leading this effort in the Senate and helping move it across the finish line. The bill gives the Tribe greater flexibility to develop water and wastewater projects that meet local needs, while also allowing for hydropower development at Yellowtail Afterbay Dam. This bipartisan legislation honors our commitments to the Crow Tribe and invests in Montana’s future.” “The federal government must ensure tribal water settlements work as intended. S. 240 gives the Crow Tribe greater flexibility to complete critical drinking water and irrigation projects while extending its exclusive right to pursue hydropower development at Yellowtail Afterbay Dam. I commend Senator Daines and Rep. Downing for championing a practical solution that strengthens tribal self-determination and supports long-term economic growth on the Crow Reservation,” said House Committee of Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman. Read the bill HERE . ### Issues : Congress Natural Resources