TITLE 85. WATER USE

CHAPTER 20. WATER COMPACTS

Part 15. Blackfeet Tribe-Montana-United States Compact

Blackfeet Tribe Water Rights Compact Infrastructure Account -- Use

85-20-1505. Blackfeet Tribe water rights compact infrastructure account -- use. (1) There is an account within the state special revenue fund called the Blackfeet Tribe water rights compact infrastructure account. The department shall administer the account.

(2) The Blackfeet Tribe water rights compact infrastructure account may be used only for water-related infrastructure projects within the exterior boundaries of the Blackfeet Indian reservation.

(3) Funds from this account may not be disbursed unless a water rights compact among the Blackfeet Tribe, the state, and the United States has been finally ratified by the legislature, the Congress of the United States, and the Blackfeet Tribe.

(4) All interest and other income earned on money in the account must be deposited in the account.

(5) All proceeds of the bonds authorized in 85-20-1511 must be deposited in a bond proceeds subaccount established in the Blackfeet Tribe water rights compact infrastructure account.

(6) Subject to subsection (3), money in the Blackfeet Tribe water rights compact infrastructure account, including the proceeds of the bonds authorized in 85-20-1511 deposited in the bond proceeds subaccount, is statutorily appropriated, as provided in 17-7-502, to the department of natural resources and conservation for the purpose of funding the state's portion of the cost of the Four Horns Project as provided for in the agreement between the Blackfeet Tribe of the Blackfeet Indian reservation and the state of Montana regarding Birch Creek water use, dated January 31, 2008, as may be amended.

History: En. Sec. 3, Ch. 489, L. 2007; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 204, L. 2009; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 147, L. 2011.