Gianforte Urges Advancing Bill Addressing Montana's "Most Important Infrastructure Project"

Statement

Congressman Greg Gianforte today testified at a congressional hearing in support of his bill to reduce Montanans' burden for repairing and maintaining the Milk River Project.

"The Milk River Project is the most important infrastructure project in Montana. It's a source for clean water for Montanans along our Hi-Line and for irrigation for over 121,000 acres of farms. But the 100-year-old project is in disrepair and getting worse," Gianforte said. "The recent failure of Drop 5 completely shut down the project and makes clear why we need to act now. The federal government should step up and reduce the burden hardworking Montanans bear for the project's repair and maintenance."

Gianforte introduced the bipartisan St. Mary's Reinvestment Act, H.R. 2492, in May 2019. The bill will ensure that the federal government picks up 75 percent of the costs for upgrades to the century-old water project. Currently, the federal government only funds 26 percent of the project, leaving local users with the responsibility to pay the rest of the tab.

The measure will cover a portion of the costs of upgrading and operating the Sherburne Dam and Reservoir, Swift Current Creek Dike, Lower St. Mary Lake, St. Mary Canal Diversion Dam, and the St. Mary Canal.

The Milk River Water Project provides water to thousands of Montanans and irrigation for enough cropland to feed one million people.

Last month, the St. Mary Canal suffered a catastrophic failure Drop 5 that, if not fixed soon, will hurt farmers, ranchers, and communities along the Hi-Line.

Gianforte testified today before a subcommittee of the House Natural Resources Committee. The next likely step for the measure is consideration before the full committee. In the meantime, Gianforte will continue looking for opportunities for the legislation to become law, including inserting it into a must-pass piece of legislation.

Background:

This month, Gianforte wrote to the Department of Interior, readdressing the need to rapidly respond to the St. Mary's River Project's Drop 5 failure.

On May 18, 2020, Gianforte urged President Trump to act quickly to fix the Drop 5 failure of the St. Mary Canal.

On May 12, 2020, Gianforte urged House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) to address the nation's critical water needs in any infrastructure package.

In March 2020, the St. Mary's Rehabilitation Working Group and the Milk River Joint Board thanked Gianforte for his support and his efforts to have the St. Mary Diversion Dam rehabilitated.

In February 2020, Gianforte testified before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee about including the St. Mary Diversion Dam in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2020.

In May 2019, Gianforte introduced the bipartisan St. Mary's Reinvestment Act to ensure that the federal government picks up 75 percent of the costs for upgrades to the Milk River Project.

In April 2018, Gianforte wrote to the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation in support of the Milk River Project Joint Board of Control's grant proposal to replace Drop 2.

At an April 2018 congressional hearing, Gianforte secured a commitment from Dr. Timothy Petty, Assistant Interior Secretary, that he will work to ensure a cost share agreement with Montana is reached to rehabilitate the St. Mary Diversion Dam and Conveyance Works.

In March 2018, Gianforte asked House appropriations leaders to fund work on the St. Mary system.

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