WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today secured $17.5 million in funding for Montana water projects in the 2009 Omnibus Appropriations bill.

              “As a member of the Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee, I’m in a great position to fund water projects that are vital to Montana’s communities,” said Rehberg.  “These funds are another important step toward clean drinking water for all Montanans.”

Montana Water Projects included in the Omnibus:

$10 million for Fort Peck / Dry Prairie Water System in Northeastern Montana.  Funds will be used to construct critical elements of the water system including the Water Treatment Plant and core pipelines.  The new system will supply clean water to 30,000 residents of Northeast Montana and the Fort Peck Reservation.

$7 million for the Rocky Boy’s/North Central Montana Regional Water System.  Funds will continue the construction of the core intake, water treatment plant and pipelines that will provide a reliable water supply for drinking water.  Ultimately, the project will deliver water to roughly 30,000 Montanans.

$500,000 for the St. Mary Rehabilitation Project. Funds are for the first phase of a multi-year effort to rehabilitate the St. Mary Diversion Facilities and address associated environmental impacts on the Blackfeet Reservation.  The St. Mary Diversion Facilities import water from the St. Mary River Basin to the Milk River Basin in north-central Montana serving the drinking water needs for 15,000 in municipalities and 140,000 irrigated acres.