"Rep. Tony Belcourt, D-Box Elder, will introduce legislation that addresses water projects affecting the Rocky Boy's Reservation as well as seven counties and 23 communities along the Hi-Line, the state's northern tier of rural communities.

“If we don't start addressing some of these big infrastructure water problems, we're going to be in a world of hurt,” said Belcourt. “Some of these communities are already being sanctioned by the state and are out of compliance.”

The Rocky Boy's-North Central Montana Regional Water system needs an overhaul because of poor quality drinking water, water supply limits and the need to comply with federal laws, including the Safe Drinking Water Act. The new project will rely on water pumped from Lake Elwell, also known as the Tiber Reservoir.

Belcourt, a citizen of the Chippewa Cree Tribe, is a first-term legislator who will serve on the Agriculture, Natural Resources and State Administration committees. He plans to introduce five bills during the 61st session of the Montana Legislature.

He is devoting much of his attention to LC 1525, a bill calling for the funding of the Rocky Boy-North Central Regional Water Project. The bill has not yet been scheduled for a hearing."

Get the Story:
Jodi Rave: Belcourt focused on water issues - (The Missoulian 1/9)

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