# Blackfeet Irrigation Project O&M Rate Increase, Montana

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URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A95-4056

## Record

- **Collection:** Federal Register
- **Document type:** Notice
- **Published:** February 17, 1995
- **Citation:** 60 FR 9574

## Text

SUMMARY: The Bureau of Indian Affairs is increasing the Blackfeet
Irrigation Project's operation and maintenance assessment rate to $11
per assessable acre for the 1995 irrigation season and subsequent
seasons. The $3 increase to the current rate of $8 per acre will help
offset cost increases for personnel, supplies, materials and services.

DATES: This rate is effective for the 1995 irrigation season and will
remain in effect until modified.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Area Director, Billings Area Office,
Bureau of Indian Affairs, 316 North 26th Street, Billings, Montana
59101. Telephone number: (406) 657-6315.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The authority to issue this document is
vested in the Secretary of the Interior by 5 U.S.C. 301, and the Act of
August 14, 1914 (38 Stat. 583, 25 U.S.C. 385), and has been delegated
to the Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs pursuant to Part 209
Departmental Manual Chapter 8.1A and Memorandum, from Chief of Staff,
Department of the Interior, to Assistant Secretaries, Heads of Bureaus
and Offices, dated January 25, 1994.
The operation and maintenance assessment per assessable acre is
based on the estimated normal operation and maintenance cost of the
Project for one fiscal year. Normal operation and maintenance is
defined as the cost of all activities involved in delivering irrigation
water, including, but not limited to, labor, materials, equipment and
services for irrigation canals, dams, flow control gates, pumps and
other facilities.
The Notice proposing this increase to the Blackfeet Irrigation
Project's operation and maintenance assessment rate was published on
November 16, 1994, (59 FR 59244). A 30-day comment period was allowed.
The Bureau received 13 comments from water users and other interested
persons.
While all 13 comments opposed the rate increase, most recognized
that the Project experiences delivery problems and requires better
maintenance. The rate increase established herein will allow for the
performance of this and will enable the Project to deliver water as
required. The commentators failed to identify other means of achieving
these goals without raising the operation and maintenance assessment
rates. The BIA has therefore determined to proceed with the rate
increase as established herein. The BIA will respond to each
commentator further by letter.
Without this rate increase, critically needed maintenance cannot be
completed, and the project's ability to deliver water will be
diminished.

Dated: February 8, 1995.
Ada E. Deer,
Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs.
[FR Doc. 95-4056 Filed 2-16-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-02-P

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A95-4056. Public record. Not legal advice.