A Cool Glass of Bipartisanship

Last week, Montana’s three congressmen introduced the Clean Water for Rural Communities Act to their respective houses in Congress. Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester introduced the bipartisan bill in the Senate, and Representaåtive Greg Gianforte introduced it in the House of Representatives.

While partisanship seems to reign supreme in the beltway, the delegation from Montana came together to introduce a bill to provide authorization for rural water infrastructure. In a joint press release, Rep. Gianforte said, “This critical bipartisan legislation will improve Montana’s water infrastructure and better ensure that more than 20,000 Montanans in our rural communities have a steady supply of water for drinking and agriculture.”

The Clean Water for Rural Communities Act will impact two Bureau of Reclamation water projects in the state. The Musselshell-Judith Rural Water System and the Dry-Redwater Regional Water Authority System are authorized under the bill. Congress has authorized several rural water projects in the past, yet some remain uncompleted. Funding is uncertain due to the yearly appropriations process and construction funding backlogs.

“The fact of the matter is that thousands of Montanas still lack access to steady safe drinking water,” Daines stated. “Water is a basic necessity for any community. We depend on a steady supply to provide clean drinking water, irrigate our crops, water our livestock and provide energy through hydropower. That’s why it’s so important that we get this bill passed.”

Tester said, “This important legislation will pave the way for new water infrastructure investments that will boost access to clean water, create good jobs, and support Montana’s farmers and ranchers.” Last December, he secured $20 million in loans and grants via the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development to help communities provide clean water. Glasgow received $1.3 million to replace valves, pumps, storage reservoirs and electrical equipment for the water and wastewater system.

For those interested in this or other issues facing Montanans, Daines will be at the VFW in Glasgow, this Friday from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. and Gianforte’s staff will hold mobile office hours in Malta next month. Leslie Robinson, a member of Gianforte's staff, will be available on Tuesday, March 12, at 1 p.m. at the Phillips County Courthouse in the lower level meeting room.