Dry-Redwater Regional Water Authorization Act
Sponsored By: Senator Daines, Steve [R-MT]
Introduced
Summary
Federal funding to build the Dry‑Redwater Regional Water System in parts of Montana and North Dakota. This bill would authorize the Secretary of the Interior to provide planning, design, and construction assistance so those counties have a safer municipal, rural, and industrial water supply.
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- Residents and farms in Garfield, McCone, Dawson, Richland, parts of Prairie County, and western McKenzie County would gain new municipal and rural water infrastructure, and livestock watering is explicitly allowed beyond incidental noncommercial uses.
- The Dry‑Redwater Regional Water Authority would own the system and must operate on a not‑for‑profit basis under a cooperative agreement with the Secretary. Federal support can cover up to 75% of total project costs and may pay for pumping, treatment, storage, pipelines, access roads, interconnection facilities, and required electrical transmission, but not system operation, maintenance, or replacement.
- The Western Area Power Administration would provide firm power for pumping and treatment to meet operational needs. The Authority pays power charges and any non‑Federal transmission or upgrade costs, and the bill preserves state water law and state authority over water resources.
*Authorizes $602 million in federal appropriations for planning, design, and construction from fiscal years 2027 through 2037.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Authorizes $602 million for water project
If enacted, the bill would authorize $602 million to be appropriated for the Dry-Redwater Water System for fiscal years 2027 through 2037 for planning, design, and construction. The authorized amount could be adjusted for development cost changes after January 1, 2024 using engineering cost indices. The Secretary could also adjust the amount to address unforeseen market volatility, including repricing for construction types and current industry standards.
Federal help to build water system
If enacted, the Secretary of the Interior would be authorized to carry out the Dry-Redwater Regional Water System largely following the October 2025 feasibility study. The Secretary would enter a cooperative agreement with the Dry-Redwater Regional Water Authority to provide federal help for planning, design, and construction. Title to the Water System would be held by the Authority. The bill would make clear livestock watering is not limited to incidental noncommercial uses.
Federal grants for water construction
If enacted, federal funds could pay for many construction items for the Water System, like pumping, treatment, storage, pipelines, access roads, and power facilities. The federal share for planning, design, and construction would not exceed 75 percent of total cost, or a lower share the Secretary sets. Federal money could also buy or improve public water system facilities that exist on the enactment date. Federal funds could not be used for operation, maintenance, or replacement of the Water System.
Power supply rules for water system
If enacted, the Western Area Power Administration would make available each year the power needed to run the Water System from intake through pumping, treatment, reservoirs, tanks, and pipelines up to delivery points. The Administrator would set the cost of that power at the firm power rate. To get that power the Water System must operate not-for-profit and be built under the cooperative agreement. The Dry-Redwater Authority would pay the power charges and non-federal delivery costs and would fund any transmission or distribution upgrades needed to deliver the power.
State water rights preserved
If enacted, the bill would not preempt or change State water laws. It would preserve each State's authority to manage water resources as in effect on the date of enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Daines, Steve [R-MT]
MT • R
Cosponsors
Sen. Sheehy, Tim [R-MT]
MT • R
Sponsored 5/12/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov