Daines, Gianforte Urge DOI to Rapidly Respond to St. Mary’s River Project Amid Drop Five’s Failure

U.S. CONGRESS – U.S. Senator Steve Daines and Congressman Greg Gianforte today sent a letter to the Department of the Interior’s Secretary Bernhardt urging him to continue to address and monitor the St. Mary’s Drop 2 and Drop 5 reconstruction projects. 

“We are grateful for the Bureau of Reclamation’s responsiveness to this crisis, but would encourage you to continue monitoring reconstruction closely to ensure timely completion.” Daines and Gianforte wrote. “We would appreciate any help your office can lend to ensure we minimize the burden placed on stakeholders as we pursue reconstruction of Drop 2 and Drop 5 of the Saint Mary Canal and Conveyance Works system.”

In May, Drop 5 of the St. Mary Milk River Project experienced catastrophic failure stopping the flows from St. Mary that provide water for the irrigation of 121,000 acres of land, 18,000 water users and municipalities along the Hi-Line, including the Blackfeet Reservation and Fort Belknap Reservation.

To read the full letter, click HERE.