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S 4489

Dry-Redwater Regional Water Authorization Act

119th Congress Introduced by Steve Daines and 1 co-sponsor

authorizes federal funding and planning for a regional water system serving parts of Montana and North Dakota, with up to 75% federal cost share and power coordination under Pick-S

Introduced in Senate
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 4489

Overview

S 4489, the Dry-Redwater Regional Water Authorization Act, would authorize a federally assisted water system serving parts of Montana and North Dakota. The bill sets up a framework for planning, design, and construction of the Dry-Redwater Regional Water Authority System, with cost-sharing, power use arrangements, and governance by the Dry-Redwater Regional Water Authority (the Authority). It references a feasibility study dated October 2025 and builds on authority granted under the Clean Water for Rural Communities Act.

Purpose and scope

  • To ensure a safe and adequate municipal, rural, and industrial water supply for:
    • Garfield, McCone, Prairie, Dawson, and Richland Counties in Montana
    • McKenzie County in North Dakota
  • Establishes the Dry-Redwater Regional Water Authority System as the project to be carried out, with the Authority (a Montana-based publicly owned nonprofit water authority) as the owner of the Water System.

Key provisions

1) authorization and planning

  • Secretary of the Interior may develop the Water System consistent with the Dry-Redwater feasibility study (Oct 2025), including revisions, under the Clean Water for Rural Communities Act.
  • A cooperative agreement is required between the Secretary and the Authority to provide Federal assistance for planning, design, and construction.

2) cost sharing and funding

  • Federal share of planning, design, and construction is capped at 75% of total costs, or a lesser amount per Secretary’s feasibility report.
  • Federal funds used for specified facilities and services (water pumping, treatment, storage, pipelines, interconnections, power facilities, etc.) and related property rights.
  • Additional allowable uses for federal funds include water intake facilities and distribution/pumping/storage facilities serving public water system needs and existing systems as of enactment.
  • Federal funds cannot be used for operation, maintenance, or replacement of the Water System.
  • Title to the Water System remains with the Authority.

3) power and transmission (Pick-Sloan Program)

  • The Administrator of the Western Area Power Administration must make available a sufficient quantity of power annually to operate the Water System, including all components from intake through distribution.
  • Eligibility requires the Water System to operate on a not-for-profit basis and to be constructed under a Secretary-approved cooperative agreement.
  • Power charged at the firm power rate; the Authority is responsible for paying power charges and non-Federal delivery costs.
  • The Water System is responsible for all non-Federal transmission and distribution arrangements and must fund any necessary upgrades to deliver power, including upgrades to the Integrated System and any non-Federal transmission/distribution systems.

4) water rights and state authorities

  • Nothing in the Act preempts or affects state water laws or any state authority to manage water resources as of enactment.

5) statutory funding and adjustments

  • Authorization of $602,000,000 for planning, design, and construction for fiscal years 2027–2037.
  • Funding amount may be adjusted for cost-index fluctuations after January 1, 2024, per engineering cost indices.
  • Provisions to adjust construction costs to address market volatility and industry standards.

Affected parties and beneficiaries

  • Counties in Montana: Garfield, McCone, Prairie, Dawson, Richland
  • County in North Dakota: McKenzie
  • The Water System will serve municipal, rural, and industrial users within the defined project service area.
  • The Authority (Dry-Redwater Regional Water Authority) as owner and operator of the Water System.
  • The Western Area Power Administration (and associated power providers) for power transmission and delivery under the Pick-Sloan framework.
  • Public water systems and existing distribution entities that may interconnect or receive water.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Introduced and referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on May 12, 2026.
  • The bill would follow standard congressional appropriations and authorizing processes, including feasibility study guidance and a cooperative agreement mechanism with federal involvement.
  • Funding authorization spans 2027–2037, with ongoing cost-indexing and volatility adjustments.

Potential impacts

  • Provides a federally backed path for substantial water infrastructure in the specified Montana and North Dakota counties.
  • Establishes a shared funding framework, with up to 75% federal support, to develop a large-scale regional water system.
  • Creates integration with the federal power program (Pick-Sloan), including power supply and transmission arrangements linked to the Water System.
  • Maintains state sovereignty over water rights and state authorities, avoiding preemption of state laws.
  • Financial exposure and long-term commitments for the Authority and participating entities, tied to federal cost-sharing and power charges.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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