Sen. Steve Daines
U.S. Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) on May 29 proposed legislation that would take certain mineral interests into a trust for the benefit of the Crow Tribe of Montana and save a Montana coal mine.
The Crow Revenue Act aims to correct long-standing inholdings on the Crow Reservation, provide revenue to the Crow Tribe, and help ensure that the Bull Mountains Mine continues to operate, according to a bill summary provided by Sen. Daines’ staff.
“The Crow Revenue Act is a win-win for Montana communities,” Sen. Daines said in a May 29 statement. “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.”
If enacted, the measure would transfer approximately 4,660 acres of private subsurface inholdings known as the Hope Family Tracts on the Crow Reservation to the Crow Tribe of Montana in exchange for 4,530 acres of federal subsurface and 940 acres of federal surface interests in Musselshell County, where the Bull Mountains Tracts are located, the summary says.
The bill also would require that the Crow Tribe and the Hope Family enter into a Revenue Sharing Agreement for any interests developed in the Bull Mountains Tracts, states the summary.
“The Crow Revenue Act benefits all of Montana,” said Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte. “It’s a common-sense solution that provides certainty and revenue to the Crow Tribe and allows access to vital energy resources in our state. I applaud Sen. Daines for bringing this bill and I strongly support its passage.”