Missouri Basin and Arkansas-Rio Grande-Texas Gulf Regions

Crow Tribe Municipal, Rural, and Industrial Water System – EA Information Center

This Web site is the online center for public information and involvement in the Municipal, Rural, and Industrial Environmental Assessment (MR&I EA). Please refer to this Web site to obtain the latest information on the project.

The Crow Nation (Tribe) and the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), in cooperation with the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), have prepared a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) to evaluate potential environmental impacts associated with the construction and operation of a proposed water supply system on the Crow Reservation (Reservation) which would collect, treat, and distribute water to users throughout the Reservation. This website is the online center for public information and involvement in the EA process.

There are several ways that you, as a member of the public, can get involved in this process. First, get informed by reading more about the regulatory background and proposed activities for the project. Then, get involved by asking questions, providing comments, and attending public meetings associated with the project.

Crow MR&I Public Involvement Opportunities
Pilot Water Treatment Plant	Final EA / FONSI	July 2015
MR&I System EA	Final EA Final FONSI	November 2016 January 2017

Summary of Background and Need for the Project

As part of the Crow Tribe's water settlement (Settlement Act of 2010), the federal government authorized funds to design, construct, and operate a water supply system to collect, treat, and distribute water to users throughout the Reservation. The underlying purpose and need for a new water supply system stems from current issues with water quality and quantity on the Reservation.

Some of the water supply facilities on the Reservation were constructed up to forty years ago and were not designed or intended to support the current population of their respective communities. They were also constructed in a time of fewer regulations to protect human health and the environment. In particular, the water treatment plants tend to struggle with meeting safe drinking water standards. Each system has its own problem areas. Examples include lack of water level meters, deteriorating distribution pipes and storage tanks, inadequate water treatment methods, and inadequate water supply.

The proposed region-wide Municipal, Rural, and Industrial (MR&I) water system would be supplied by one water treatment plant. This larger water treatment plant would produce high quality drinking water at a much greater economy than several satellite treatment plants would be able to achieve. At the same time, it would be possible to incorporate delivery of water to most rural residents and for livestock needs. It's estimated that half of the cattle on the Reservation will be supplied water from this system. Since federal funding is involved, a number of federal environmental laws and regulations apply. The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is the principal law that requires a review of the project to address environmental, social, and economic values. The EA will serve as a basis to determine if there are any significant environmental effects caused by the proposed project, any alternatives to the project, and any necessary mitigation measures needed to protect human health and the environment.