Congressman Denny Rehberg

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today predicted swift passage of a bill that includes more than $17 million he requested for Montana water projects. The funds are included in the final version of the Energy and Water Appropriations measure, scheduled for a House vote this month.

“After making my initial requests earlier this year for the bill that began in the House, Conrad [Burns] did a terrific job with the Senate version of the legislation,” Rehberg said. “While I’m certainly happy with the end result, I’ve already begun working on next year’s requests, and am encouraged by the prospects for additional funding.”

The bill includes:
· $7.5 million of the $14.5 million Rehberg requested for the Fort Peck Reservation Rural Water System;
· $7 million of the $12.5 million requested by Rehberg for the Fort Peck Fish Hatchery;
· $6 million of the $7 million requested for MSE Western Environmental Technology Office in Butte;
· $3 million to assist the communities of Conrad, Laurel, Belgrade, Drummond, Wisdom, Melstone, and Manhattan with planning and continuation of municipal water projects, and;
· $915,000 of the $1 million Rehberg requested for the Rocky Boy’s/North Central Rural Water System.

“The hatchery project is a dream come true for anglers and conservationists alike, and is part of a long term strategy to increase Walleye numbers and revitalize Pallid Sturgeon populations,” Rehberg said. ”As for the water projects, each of these communities deserves nothing less than the goal of these important projects – safe and dependable drinking water supplies.”