Baucus, Tester announce millions for Indian Country

Senators set aside funding for water projects, schools

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Senators Max Baucus and Jon Tester today detailed several Indian Country-projects that are slated to receive millions of dollars in federal funding for Fiscal Year 2009.

The projects, which create jobs and boost Montana’s economy, are part of an overall appropriations bill that funds the federal government.  Both Baucus and Tester requested the funding last year.

“This funding is about improving public safety and justice on Montana’s reservations,” Baucus said.  “These dollars will go a long way in bringing boosting Indian communities with better water systems, schools, law enforcement and good-paying jobs.”

“This funding is very solid investment in Montana families and it will empower Indian communities with the resources they need to become self-sufficient,” said Tester, a member of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee.  “Max and I worked hard to set aside this funding, which will bring more hope and opportunity to Indian Country.”

Baucus and Tester detailed the following projects for Indian Country:

• $100,000 for the Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of the Fort Peck Reservation for a 911 call center.
• $300,000 for Fort Belknap to add additional staff, updated electronic data systems, equipment and training to ensure quality judicial services in the tribal court.
• $250,000 for Rocky Boy’s juvenile detention facility. 
• $712,500 for the Chippewa Cree Tribe for transportation and rehabilitation of Malmstrom Housing Units. 
• $381,000 for Glacier County Schools in Browning for academic programs. 
• $238,000 for Salish Kootenai College in Pablo for curriculum development. 
• $300,000 for the Crow Tribe in Crow Agency for a wastewater lagoon replacement. 
• $10 million for the Fort Peck-Dry Prairie Rural Water System.
• $7 million for the Rocky Boy’s/North Central Montana Regional Water System.
• $494,000 for the Montana Department of Commerce for technical assistance and operating expenses of the Native American loan program for economic development on reservations.  
• Fort Belknap is eligible to apply for money to upgrade its water treatment plant.
• The Crow Tribe is eligible to apply for money to improve its wastewater system.

Baucus and Tester will announce federal funding for other Montana-specific projects for Fiscal Year 2010 later this year.