Crow Tribe Water Settlement Overhaul Creates New Infrastructure Fund and Extends Yellowtail Dam Timeline to 2030

The Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Amendments Act of 2025 revamps how water infrastructure is funded and managed on the Crow Reservation. By redefining the old 'MRI System' into a more flexible 'MRI Project' framework and establishing a dedicated MRI Projects Account, the bill shifts the focus toward direct infrastructure development. This new account will be the primary engine for planning, building, and repairing everything from water treatment plants to municipal delivery pipes, ensuring that funds are available for the long-term work of getting clean water to residents.

Modernizing the Water Works

Under the new rules in Section 411, the Tribe is required to prioritize essential water infrastructure—think domestic taps and wastewater systems—and the environmental permitting that goes with them. It’s a 'basics first' approach: before the Tribe can use this money for anything else, they have to ensure the on-reservation water projects are finished. Once the Secretary of the Interior receives written notice that these projects are complete, the Tribe gains the flexibility to use any leftover cash to buy up land on the reservation that comes with existing water rights. For a local rancher or a small business owner on the reservation, this means the focus stays on reliable utility service today while securing the Tribe’s resource footprint for tomorrow.

Ownership and the Long Game

The bill makes a clean break regarding who is in charge of these systems. Section 411(i) explicitly states that the Tribe holds the title and full control over any projects built with these funds. However, that control comes with a 'fine print' reality: the federal government is officially off the hook for the costs of operation, maintenance, or future replacements. This means the Tribe will be solely responsible for the 'upkeep' budget. Additionally, the bill acknowledges that big engineering takes time, extending the timeline for certain activities at the Yellowtail Dam from 15 years to 20 years (Section 412). This five-year extension suggests a move toward more realistic deadlines for complex dam-related projects that often face geographical or bureaucratic delays.