Congressman Denny Rehberg

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, sent a letter requesting a legislative markup for four tribal recognition bills including his effort to acquire federal recognition for the Little Shell Chippewa Tribe. Rehberg, who has introduced legislation on behalf of the Tribe in each of the last two Congresses, successfully obtained a hearing on this bill last July in the House Committee on Natural Resources.  He also testified at the hearing, where he presented a strong case in favor of recognition.  Committee approval is the next step toward final passage.

“The Little Shell have waited long enough for their rightful recognition,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Native American Caucus. “While the legislative process is almost always slow, after more than 30 years of waiting, we’re closer to the finish line than we’ve been in a long time.  We’ll keep fighting until we’re done.”

The Little Shell Tribe is made up of approximately 4,300 members, mostly in the Great Falls area. In 2000, the same year the tribe was recognized by the state of Montana, the Department of Interior issued a positive finding for the tribe making them eligible for recognition. Since then, little progress has been made due to bureaucratic obstacles. Rehberg’s bill expedites recognition through the legislative process.

The full letter is below:

Dear Chairman Rahall,

We request an expeditious markup for the following bills which are currently under consideration in the Committee on Natural Resources: the Duwamish Tribal Recognition Act (H.R. 2678), the Burt Lake Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians Reaffirmation Act (H.R. 1358), the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians Restoration Act (H.R. 3120), and the Chinook Restoration Act (H.R. 3084).

As Members of Congress, we have worked on these bills for many years, in some cases more than a decade.  Each of the tribes has contributed significantly to the culture, history, and character of the regions which we represent, and federal recognition would be a step toward righting a historical wrong.

We believe that these bills are ready to advance through the legislative process to a vote on the floor of the House.  On July 15, 2009, the Committee on Natural Resources held a hearing examining all four of these bills.  Concerns which arose from this hearing have since been addressed, and we believe that a markup should now be scheduled without delay.

We respectfully request a meeting to discuss how we may work with you and House Leadership to move this legislation to a final vote in Committee and on the House floor as quickly as possible.  We strongly believe in the importance and caliber of these bills.  Passage of these bills is of the highest priority for each of us, and we urge swift action by our colleagues in the House.

WASHINGTON, DC – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today posted a list of verbal and written comments he heard from Montanans during the 22 public meetings he held regarding Sen. Jon Tester’s Wilderness bill. The comments are posted in the “Transparency Center” portion of Rehberg’s congressional website. Last week, Rehberg promised to take this action in a letter to Senator Tester and asked the Senator to join him in doing so in order to maximize transparency in the legislative process.

“I heard from hundreds of Montanans, each with their own ideas and opinions,” said Rehberg, “While ideas will vary in merit, each deserves to at least be heard and considered in a public forum. That’s what I’m trying to do – put them all in the bucket and see which ones end up floating.”

Rehberg has laid out a number of these comments as examples of what he’d like to see changed in the underlying legislation. One proposal, addressing an overriding concern heard in 22 listening sessions, is the notion of a wilderness ‘phase-in’ that would time the creation of new wilderness to the active management of other lands. This solution would alleviate the concern that as soon as the bill becomes law, the wilderness designations are immediate, while there is no assurance that stewardship components would not be infinitely delayed by litigation.

Rehberg, who relayed multiple suggestions in real-time to the public and the press during the course of his listening tour, has gathered a wide array of additional ideas for changes to the legislation including boundary line concerns from farmers and ranchers, preservation of recreational opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts, and maintaining the ability to accurately inventory natural resources like molybdenum.

“There’s no silver bullet here,” warned Rehberg. “There are a lot of very good ideas that should each be considered on their own merit. While I appreciate the buy-in from the partnerships that helped draft the bill, this legislation affects all Montanans who deserve the right to be heard. In addition to some other fixes, an incremental phase-in would help ensure logging isn’t bogged down by lawsuits after new wilderness areas are designated.”

Comments can be found online at http://rehberg.house.gov

BILLINGS, MT. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, announced today nine rural schools in Montana will share a $404,587 grant to develop a distance learning consortium that will help improve the quality of rural education in Montana.

“Improving education opportunities in Montana is a priority of mine in Congress,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Rural Education Caucus. “Distance learning technology in Montana’s rural classrooms increases student access to a wide variety of world-wide learning opportunities, and provides the educator with a host of additional teaching tools.”

The funding is from the USDA Rural Development Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Grant Program, which provides equipment, software, and training resources for education and health care institutions in rural areas. The money will be used for a web-based interactive and streamed media consortium of nine rural schools. The schools are located in Colstrip, Glasgow, Harlem, Noxon, and Rocky Boy.

“These distance learning tools will help students see the world,” said Tracey Dean, distance learning coordinator at Noxon Public Schools. “The program will be used school-wide, not only helping students, but helping educators make teacher-to-teacher connections and learn from each other,” said Dean, who added the program will also be used as a community and adult education resource.

The $1.04 million distance learning system will require school district matching funds, and likely be operational by the start of next school year.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today sent a letter to Director Jim Lynch at the Montana Department of Transportation, asking him to stop the production of road signs touting that a project is paid for by the so-called “stimulus” act. The signs cost taxpayers $1,700 a piece. While a provision that would have blocked the use of federal dollars for these signs failed to pass in the U.S. Senate, at least six states have chosen to spend tax dollars more responsibly.

“Many states have rightfully taken it upon themselves to stop the wasteful production of the self-congratulatory stimulus signs,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “The state of Montana should do right by taxpayers and join the movement.”

In September, Rehberg sent a letter to Vice President Biden and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood expressing criticism of the continued waste of federal stimulus funds. Specifically, Rehberg expressed concerns over signs to notify drivers that construction projects are funded by the “Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Act.”

Federal officials quickly deflected blame by pointing out that the decision was made at a state level, despite the statement from the U.S. Department of Transportation, which “strongly encourages agencies to use the economic recovery signs on all projects funded by the ARRA” (http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/economicrecovery/arrasignguidance.htm).

Following his letter, Rehberg surveyed Montanans to get their opinion. A full 95% of those surveyed said they would rather the stimulus sign funds be used elsewhere.

The Montana Department of Transportation has already spent at least $185,144 in federal stimulus dollars on 106 signs – at a cost of about $1746 per sign.

Rehberg’s letter is below:

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today voted in support of passage of the Energy and Water Appropriations Bill. Rehberg is a member of the House Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee.

“So much of Montana’s economy and quality of life depends upon energy production and clean drinking water,” said Rehberg. “Serving on the Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee gives Montana a pretty big seat at the table when it comes to funding these priorities.”

The projects are listed below:

Rocky Boy/North Central Montana Water Project - $9 Million

The Rocky Boy’s/North Central Water Project is a municipal, rural and industrial water system proposed for an eight county area in north central Montana. It will serve the Rocky Boy’s Reservation and thirteen surrounding communities through a partnership between Montana’s Chippewa Cree Tribe and its non-Tribal Partners in the North Central Montana Regional Water Authority. Poor quality drinking water, major water supply constraints and the high costs for compliance with federal Safe Drinking Water Act regulations established a critical need for funding this project. In fact, some of the affected communities are already under federal mandate to improve their drinking water systems and others are on boil orders. The North Central Water Project will deliver water to roughly 30,000 Montanans. The project will also provide infrastructure to pipe water to the Rocky Boy’s Reservation.

“The Authority can’t thank Congressman Rehberg enough for his hard work on the Appropriations Committee and the fact that he again secured federal dollars for the construction of the Rocky Boy’s/North Central Montana Regional Water System,” said Dan Keil, Chairman, North Central Montana Regional Water Authority. “Congressman Rehberg knows that many of the 23 communities that make up the North Central Montana Regional Water Authority need immediate help for their water systems and we are appreciative of his efforts to get this System built. Someday this water project will deliver clean and safe drinking water to over 30,000 Montanans who desperately need it.”

Fort Peck/Dry Prairie Water Project - $8 Million

The funds will be used by the Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes to complete their regional water treatment plant and extend the main transmission pipelines to Poplar and Wolf Point. Treated water that reaches Poplar will serve the third largest community in the project and replace existing water supplies threatened by Brine Plume contamination. The Project, as authorized by Congress in 2000, calls for the water to be diverted from the Missouri River at a single location south of Poplar, MT, to an intake system or an infiltration gallery. After treatment, it will serve both tribal and off-reservation communities that desperately need a clean water supply.

“Fort Peck/Dry Prairie is grateful for the FY 2010 funding mark supplied by Rep. Rehberg through his continued efforts as a member of the House Appropriations Committee on Energy and Water,” said Clint Jacobs, General Manager for Dry Prairie. “The bulk of these funds will be applied toward completion of the main distribution pipelines from the project’s water treatment plant to the communities of Wolf Point and Poplar.”

Milk River/St. Mary Diversion Rehabilitation - $3.5 Million

The St. Mary Rehabilitation Project serves the entire Milk River Basin with both irrigation and clean drinking water. Over 100 years ago, the United States government recognized the benefit of agriculture production in the region between western Glacier County and the lower Milk River after which the Bureau of Reclamation made significant investments in infrastructure along the St. Mary and Milk River Basins. However, 100 years have taken a toll on these facilities and the diversion is in serious need of modernization and rehabilitation.

“To say we’re elated is an understatement for what Congressman Rehberg has done for our efforts to keep the Saint Mary Diversion System operational,” said Larry Mires, Executive Director for the Saint Mary Rehabilitation Working Group. “It’s been a long journey and this appropriation means we can continue to assure irrigation for 140,000 acres of land and clean water for 18,000 people in the 13 communities of the Milk River Basin. This project is the lifeline of the hi-line.”

Center for Zero Emissions Research & Technology - $3 Million

In a coal producing state like Montana, the ability to monitor and validate deep geological carbon dioxide sequestration from coal is extremely important. New technologies hold great promise to significantly reduce emissions from fossil fuels, but the engineering, economic, and environmental viability of these zero emission fossil energy technologies must be confirmed.

“The continued funding resulting from Congressman Rehberg’s support for the Zero Emissions Research and Technology Center (ZERT) will allow us to continue development of key tools that benefit the carbon sequestration program,” said Lee Spangler, Director of the Energy Research Institute and ZERT at Montana State University. “This includes development and testing of new detection technologies, improved simulation models, and biologically based methods of plugging leaky wells. It also helps Montana State continue a leadership role in carbon sequestration.”

Sythesis of Renewable Biofuels from Biomass - $500,000

With these funds, the Montana Physical Sciences Foundation will work for the Department of Energy to develop technology to convert sources of rural biomass like wheat straw, wood and grass into renewable biofuel. Montana currently has 3 million tons of waste wheat straw and 2.8 million tons of wood mill waste and logging residue, which could be converted into approximately 1,044 million gallons of biofuel each year. Such technology would be scaled for location within the rural communities, at the source of the feedstock, creating locally-based jobs for rural Montanans.

“Thanks to Denny, this project will help develop advanced, renewable biofuels that will provide immediate research jobs as well as lead to new technologies that will help expand the alternative energy market right here in Montana,” said Lawrence C. Farrar, President of Resodyn Corporation. “This funding is an example of Denny’s vision and commitment to the importance of a diversified domestic energy portfolio in Montana. He also understands how to get the most out of Montana’s resources - both natural and human. We are looking forward to undertaking the project and greatly appreciate the support of our Montana delegation.”

Geothermal Development in Hot Springs Valley - $491,000

Hydrologists believe that a water source at the Lake County hot springs may be hot enough deep in the earth for geothermal power production. Geothermal energy is power extracted from heat stored in the earth. It’s an important, renewable source of energy that can be produced domestically. While cost-effective and environmentally friendly, it can only be tapped in very specific locations, which makes it important to locate hot spots.

“The Hot Springs area in Lake County, Montana is a proven source for geothermal. Shallow wells indicate that the source goes deeper,” said Kenneth Sugden, General Manager for Flathead Electric Cooperative. “This project will allow Flathead Electric to continue drilling in shallow wells to verify the potential source of development. Geothermal power is a valuable source of distributed, renewable power for the area.”

Yellowstone River Corridor - $519,000

The Yellowstone River Study is a grassroots project defining cumulative effects to the river and establishing the best management practices that local governments and private landowners can implement. The purpose of the project is to improve management of the Yellowstone River including both the waters and adjacent lands. The project assists with the removal of invasive plants such as the Russian olive and is a catalyst for fish passage projects and helps to improve irrigation infrastructures for endangered species like the pallid sturgeon. Additionally the Yellowstone River Corridor project considers how far the Yellowstone River channel is likely to migrate in the next 50 years so future species protection and irrigation infrastructure that involves higher costs will provide better planning. It is proving to be a model for economic sustainability while providing sensible environmental protection, eliminating costly spending on litigation and controversy.

“The Yellowstone River Conservation District Council would like to thank Congressman Denny Rehberg for his support of the Yellowstone River Corridor Comprehensive Study,” said Nicole McClain, Coordinator of the Yellowstone River Conservation District Council. “The $200,000 will help complete the decade long study of the entire Yellowstone River system, which is aimed at developing the first citizen-based voluntary management plan on a river system of such national importance. We hope this study will serve as a model that demonstrates how to maintain and improve the health of river systems while simultaneously enhancing productivity.”

Rural Montana Water Projects - $4,844,000

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg today announced $300,000 for Great Falls Development Authority’s construction of utility, road, and rail extensions onto a parcel of land to be used as an industrial park. The funding was included in the House Transportation and Housing and Urban Development Subcommittee bill for Fiscal Year 2010.

“With infrastructure in place for a heavy industrial park, the Great Falls community will have a leg up when it comes to attracting high-paying jobs and lasting economic development,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “The Great Falls Development Authority’s dedicated community leaders are working hard and moving forward with their vision of a strong economy in central Montana.”

Great Falls and Cascade County have several opportunities for economic development from new manufacturing, agri-processing and energy companies but currently lack a sizeable industrial park site with utilities extensions, and well-designed roadways to access them. This project will include design, cost estimates and engineering as well as a portion of the construction costs required to make a heavy industrial park viable.

“Shovel-ready, rail-served heavy industrial sites are the only missing ingredients to grow and attract more agri-processing operations to the region,” said Kim Thiel-Schaaf, Community Asset Director for Great Falls Development Authority. “We appreciate Congressman Rehberg’s leadership in working to make this happen. It will result in new high wage jobs for residents and increased local market opportunities for farmers and ranchers throughout central Montana.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg today announced $500,000 for Great Falls Development Authority to reconstruct and pave the Black Eagle Road in Cascade County. The funding was included in the House Transportation and Housing and Urban Development Subcommittee bill for Fiscal Year 2010.

“Folks who travel the Black Eagle Road frequently clearly recognize the need for repair,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “There are safety concerns at the northern intersection and the gravel and deteriorating asphalt need a make-over to meet the increased traffic flow. The reconstruction will allow for industrial growth that will pay dividends to the area.”

These funds will allow Great Falls Development Authority to completely reconstruct Black Eagle Road. The project includes design, engineering, construction, and a new roadbed, fabric, gravel, and surfacing to bring the road to an industrial standard. This new design will address alignment issues at the intersection of Black Eagle Road and US 87/89 in order to enhance safety in the area.

“Congressman Rehberg’s efforts will help us to improve access to excellent industrial land,” said Kim Thiel-Schaaf, Community Asset Director for Great Falls Development Authority. “Opening up the land around the malt plant for development has been one of our top priorities. We are already seeing new private sector investment in the area and expect much more to happen as a result of this funding. We appreciate the Congressman’s continued support of our efforts.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today announced listening sessions in sixteen of Montana’s 56 counties in August.  Rehberg makes it a point to visit each of Montana’s counties each congressional term.

“Traveling Montana and visiting with folks from every corner of the state is one of the best parts of my job” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee.  “It gives me a chance to hear from Montanans, many of whom who feel like Congress isn’t responsive to their concerns.  Rather than a month of me telling folks what they should think, these listening sessions let me listen and learn from Montanans so I can bring some of that Western common sense to the debates in Washington, D.C.”

Rehberg’s full listening session tour for August is listed below.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today testified before the Natural Resources Committee on behalf of federal recognition of the Little Shell Chippewa Tribe.  His legislation (H.R. 3120) would provide recognition that has been denied by the federal government for more than 100 years.  The House Natural Resources Committee has jurisdiction over recognition issues in the House.

“A state as diverse as Montana rarely provides a homogenous point of view on almost any issue, the question of recognition for the Little Shell Tribe near Great Falls is not a controversial one,” Rehberg told the committee.  “In fact, nine years ago the State of Montana formally recognized the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians, and I’ve worked across the aisle with Montana’s Democratic Senators to extend that recognition to the federal government. For us, this federal recognition is about rising above politics, and bureaucratic red tape to do the right thing.”

Rehberg has been a long-time advocate for federal recognition of the approximately 4,300 Little Shell who reside around Great Falls.  He has introduced legislation to circumvent the Department of Interior which has dragged its feet for more than 30 years.

“In the grand scheme of what we do here, it’s a small thing for Congress to provide a spark of federal recognition for the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians,” concluded Rehberg in his testimony.  “The benefit for those who receive that spark can be life changing and permanent.  Folks in my neck of the woods understand the power a single spark can have.  The federal government has horded it’s fire for too long.  Let’s work together to light a fire for the Little Shell Tribe in Montana.”

Rehberg’s Testimony:

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg today announced $500,000 for Benefis Health System to acquire a Mobile Cancer Unit. The funding was included in the House Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations Subcommittee bill for Fiscal Year 2010.

“Early detection of cancer is one of the keys to beating the disease,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations Subcommittee. “This funding will help bring the latest detection technology to Montana’s under-served rural areas, leading to more Montanans beating cancer and living full lives.”

This project will provide a mobile cancer screening service to currently underserved populations in North Central Montana. The funds will help purchase digital mammography technology and a vehicle to provide on-site screening in a broad rural corridor, including four Indian Reservations.

“These funds will take cancer screening to residents of Montana’s most underserved corridor,” said John Goodnow, Benefis Health System CEO. “Early screening can make the difference between a death sentence and a healing process, so these dollars have the potential to save a lot of lives. We’re really thankful Congressman Rehberg saw this need and met it in his Appropriations Subcommittee.”