The Chippewa Cree Tribe joined the state of Montana and the federal government in the groundbreaking of a $267 million water system.

The system will deliver water to the Rocky Boy's Reservation and to other rural communities. It was the result of a settlement of the tribe's water rights.

Congress allocated $14 million for construction in the upcoming year. The tribal-owned Chippewa Cree Construction Corporation will do the work to complete an intake structure.

Gov. Brian Schweitzer (D) urged the state's Congressional delegation to speed up the project. It won't be finished for another 10 years.

"The Rocky Boy's project has been 15 years in the making. Today it provides hope for a region that has seen negative economic and population trends for decades," The Great Falls Tribune says in an editorial. "Tomorrow it will provide water."

Get the Story:
Rocky Boy's water project now under construction (The Great Falls Tribune 9/1)
Editorial: It's an important week for water on the Hi-Line (The Great Falls Tribune 9/1)