WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg today announced $3 Million for the St. Mary Water Project. The funding was included in the Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee bill for Fiscal Year 2010.

"Rehabilitating the St. Mary diversion line will help ensure Montana’s Ag industry remains strong, and residents along the Hi-line have safe drinking water," said Rehberg, a member of the House Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee. "Repairing the aging infrastructure will take a dedicated effort for many years to come and I’m looking forward to its completion."

The St. Mary Rehabilitation Project serves the entire Milk River Basin with both irrigation and clean drinking water. Over 100 years ago, the United States government recognized the benefit of agriculture production in the region between western Glacier County and the lower Milk River after which the Bureau of Reclamation made significant investments in infrastructure along the St. Mary and Milk River Basins. However, 100 years have taken a toll on these facilities and the diversion is in serious need of modernization and rehabilitation.

Rehberg not only wrote legislation that authorized the rehabilitation and improvement of the St. Mary Diversion and Conveyance Works, but he also ensured that an emergency response plan is developed in case the facilities should ever fail.

"To say we’re elated is an understatement for what Congressman Rehberg has done for our efforts to keep the Saint Mary Diversion System operational," said Larry Mires, Executive Director for the Saint Mary Rehabilitation Working Group. "It’s been a long journey and this appropriation means we can continue to assure irrigation for 140,000 acres of land and clean water for 18,000 people in the 13 communities of the Milk River Basin. This project is the lifeline of the hi-line."