In a recent government meeting, discussions centered around the Crow Scribe Water Settlement Amendments Act, which aims to enhance water access for the Crow tribe in Montana. The act seeks to amend the original 2010 Crow Scribe Water Rights Settlement Act, which was established to provide water resources to the tribe but faced feasibility issues in its initial project design.

Senator advocating for the amendments emphasized that the proposed changes do not alter existing water rights, do not introduce additional funding, and do not modify the compact agreed upon by the Crow tribe, the state of Montana, and the federal government. Instead, the amendments are intended to provide the Crow tribe with greater flexibility in constructing a cost-effective water system that can deliver clean drinking water to a larger portion of their community.

Chairman White Clay of the Crow tribe highlighted the urgency of passing both the Crow Scribe Water Settlement Amendments Act and the Crow Revenue Act, which was not included in the hearing. He stressed that the water settlement is crucial for ensuring access to clean water, a basic human right, and that the revenue act is essential for the tribe's financial stability, especially following the closure of a significant revenue source, the Uppsala Ghat mine.

The chairman pointed out that the tribe has faced challenges in accessing federal funding due to being placed on a \"do not pay\" list, which has hindered their ability to participate in government grants. This has left the tribe to rely on their own funds for essential services, including social services and initiatives addressing the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women (MMIW).

Both bills are seen as vital for bolstering tribal sovereignty and improving living conditions on the reservation. The urgency for their enactment this year was underscored, as the tribe continues to navigate significant challenges in securing clean water and financial resources.