Rick Hill: “I support and urge the passage of S. 624, The Fort Peck Rural Reservation Rural Water System Act. This bill authorizes…”

“I support and urge the passage of S. 624, The Fort Peck Rural Reservation Rural Water System Act. This bill authorizes the construction of a fresh water system for residents on and near the Fort Peck Indian Reservation in northeast Montana. I introduced companion legislation along with Senator Burns, and a version of his bill has already passed the Senate. The need for a safe and reliable water source is particularly acute on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation. In one community, sulfate levels in the water are four times the standard for safe drinking water, and in four communities, iron levels are five times the standard. The unemployment rate on the Fort Peck Reservation is near 75 percent, and the reservation has been plagued by health alerts for drinking water, despite the fact that the area is located near one of the largest manmade reservoirs in the United States. Health problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes run rampant. A safe and reliable source of water is necessary to both improve health and stimulate economic development on the reservation and in an area of Montana far remote from any major population centers. Those who live on the Fort Peck Reservation and in nearby communities deserve the peace of mind that comes with a safe supply of water. S. 624 will improve the water systems for at least 24,000 Montanans in this area, and will provide water not only for drinking, but also for agriculture.”