The Senate Indian Affairs Committee held a hearing on two water rights bills on Thursday.

The Obama administration did not testify on either S.2956, the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Mission Indians Water Rights Settlement Act, or S.3290, the Blackfeet Water Rights Settlement Act of 2010. Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-North Dakota), the chairman of the committee, said he will get the government's views as the bills advance.

The settlement with the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians of California requires the government to provide $50.2 million to the tribe. The settlement with the Blackfeet Nation of Montana requires the government to spend $591 million.

Get the Story:
Water-rights bill gets Blackfeet, federal support in Senate hearing (The Great Falls Tribune 7/23)

Committee Hearing:
HEARING on S.2956, the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Mission Indians Water Rights Settlement Act, and S. 3290, the Blackfeet Water Rights Settlement Act of 2010 (July 22, 2010)

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Senate Indian Affairs Committee hearing on two water rights bills (7/22)
Senate Indian Affairs Committee hearing on two water rights bills (7/16)