Political Quotes

“Mr. President, water is a basic foundation of life. In Montana, we depend on a steady supply of water to drink, irrigate our crops, water our livestock, and provide energy through hydropower. Water is a precious resource, and there are still rural communities that face barriers to access and are in dire need of clean drinking water. The struggle for water continues to create health challenges for Indian Country and nearby communities, in addition to making economic development more difficult. There are approximately 35,000 Americans across 12 counties in both Montana and North Dakota whose existing public water supply systems are unable to provide them with water that meets the requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act. The Bureau of Reclamation plays a critical role in managing the storage and delivery of water in the Western United States. Some of the earliest water projects built by the Bureau were built in Montana. These projects provided critical infrastructure for Montana homesteaders and were of critical importance to the long-term growth of our State. They are still vital today. That is why I am introducing the Clean Water for Rural Communities Act. This legislation would authorize the Bureau of Reclamation to provide Federal assistance for the planning, design, and construction of the Dry-Redwater Regional Water Authority System and the Musselshell-Judith Rural Water System in Montana and North Dakota.…”