Central Montana Times

U.S. Senator Steve Daines spoke at a Senate Committee on Indian Affairs hearing, expressing gratitude to Montana's local communities and officials for supporting his "Crow Revenue Act." He stressed the importance of passing the legislation. Crow Chairman White Clay also attended as a witness and voiced his support for the bill.

"The bill is a win for the Crow Tribe. It’s a win for our local communities, and most importantly, for the Crow Tribe. It’s also a win for the state," said Daines. "The Crow Revenue Act is going to swap private inholdings on the Crow Reservation for federal minerals near Roundup Montana. In exchange, the Crow Tribe would receive a share of the revenues from these minerals developed near Roundup."

Daines emphasized that without passing this act, jobs at Bull Mountains Mine would be at risk starting in early 2025. He criticized the Biden-Harris Administration for not completing necessary permits on time, which he claims has jeopardized mining operations.

"Montana cannot afford to lose the jobs at the Bull Mountains Mine," Daines stated. "Let me be clear, without the passage of the Crow Revenue Act, the Bull Mountains Mine near Roundup will begin to close down at the beginning of 2025. Let that sink in for a moment; hundreds of jobs are on the line if this committee and this Congress does not pass this bill."

He continued: "Unfortunately, we are in this position because the Biden-Harris Administration has refused to complete the Bull Mountains Mine permit, pure and simple. Had they done their job and completed needed permits in July like they were supposed to, we wouldn’t be here talking about needing to do this bill."

Daines introduced Chairman White Clay during his remarks.

The "Crow Revenue Act," introduced by Daines in May 2024, aims to resolve long-standing issues with inholdings on the Crow Reservation while providing revenue to both the tribe and local community through continued operations at Bull Mountains Mine.

Support letters have been received from various stakeholders including Montana Governor Greg Gianforte, local senators and representatives, Montana State Superintendent Elsie Arntzen, Signal Peak Energy, The Hope Family, City of Roundup officials, Musselshell County Commission members, Big Horn County Commission members, Yellowstone County Commission members, and Montana Association of Oil Gas & Coal Counties.