Central Montana Times

U.S. Senator Steve Daines announced the “Crow Revenue Act,” aimed at addressing long-standing inholdings on the Crow Reservation, providing revenue to the Crow Tribe, and ensuring the continued operation of the Bull Mountains Mine, which supports local jobs and economic activity.

“The Crow Revenue Act is a win-win for Montana communities. Not only will we help preserve the jobs and economic impact from the Bull Mountains Mine in Musselshell County, it will also bring in new revenue for the Crow Tribe to help support their communities,” said Daines.

Governor Gianforte expressed his support for the bill, stating, “The Crow Revenue Act benefits all of Montana. It’s a commonsense solution that provides certainty and revenue to the Crow Tribe and allows access to vital energy resources in our state. I applaud Senator Daines for bringing this bill and I strongly support its passage.”

The bill proposes transferring approximately 4,660 acres of private subsurface inholdings (Hope Family Tracts) on the Crow Reservation to the Crow Tribe of Montana. In exchange, 4,530 acres of federal subsurface and 940 acres of federal surface interests in Musselshell County (Bull Mountains Tracts) would be transferred. Additionally, it mandates that the Crow Tribe and Hope Family enter into a Revenue Sharing Agreement for any interests developed in these tracts.

Similar to the bipartisan “Northern Cheyenne Lands Act” signed into law in 2014 that supported the Northern Cheyenne Tribe, this act aims to resolve long-standing land issues while providing essential revenue streams for tribal communities.

Support letters have been received from various stakeholders including:

- The Crow Tribe

- Signal Peak Energy

- The Hope Family

- City of Roundup

- Big Horn County Commission

- Yellowstone County Commission

- Montana Association of Oil, Gas & Coal Counties

For further details on the bill text and an overview document can be accessed through provided links.