William R. Richardson: “Mr. Speaker, S. 1654 makes certain technical amendments to various Federal statutes affecting Native Americans. The bill…”

“Mr. Speaker, S. 1654 makes certain technical amendments to various Federal statutes affecting Native Americans. The bill has technical amendments to five Federal statutes. The first provision would amend the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reserved Water Rights Settlement Act of 1992 to clarify that the costs of environmental compliance and mitigation related to the repair and enlargement of the Tongue River Dam are the sole responsibility of the United States. It also clarifies that the environmental compliance funds under section 7(e) are authorized in addition to the funds authorized under 7(b)(1) for the Tongue River Dam project. Finally, it makes clear that these environmental compliance funds may be expended prior to the Montana water court's issuance of a settlement decree. The second provision amends the San Carlos Apache Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 1992 to correct an error in the text of the title 37 of Public Law 102-575. This amendment changes the word from 'reimbursable' to 'nonreimbursable' in order to ensure that the construction costs associated with water transferred to the tribe pursuant to the settlement are deferred pursuant to the Leavitt Act. This change reflects the intent of the Congress and is supported by all parties to the settlement.”