OCTOBER 2013 CROW TRIBAL LEGISLATURE

OCTOBER 2013 CROW TRIBAL LEGISLATURE

JOINT ACTION RESOLUTION NO. JAR 13-18

INTRODUCED BY DARRIN OLD COYOTE, CHAIRMAN

CROW TRIBAL EXECUTIVE BRANCH

JOINT ACTION RESOLUTION OF THE CROW TRIBAL LEGISLATURE AND THE

CROW TRIBAL EXECUTIVE BRANCH ENTITLED:

“RESOLUTION TO UPDATE THE CROW INDIAN RESERVATION TTP

LONG RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLAN”

WHEREAS, the Crow Tribal Executive and Legislative Branches recognize the

importance of a well maintained and continuously improved public road system on the

Crow Reservation to the health, safety, prosperity and economic development

opportunities for the Crow Tribe and its members and for every community on the

Reservation; and

WHEREAS, 25 CFR Part 170 states that the purpose of Tribal long-range

transportation planning is to clearly demonstrate a Tribe’s transportation needs and to

fulfill Tribal goals by developing strategies to meet these needs; and

WHEREAS, 25 CFR Part 170 describes the significance of periodically

reviewing and updating the Tribe’s TTP Long Range Transportation Plan to provide an

accurate representation of the Crow Tribe’s transportation facilities and construction

needs; and

WHEREAS, the Crow Tribe Department of Transportation has prepared an

updated Long Range Transportation Plan for the Crow Reservation, which is attached

hereto as Exhibit A and incorporated by reference;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CROW TRIBAL

LEGISLATURE AND THE CROW TRIBAL EXECUTIVE BRANCH:

That the Crow Tribe hereby adopts and approves the updated TTP Long

Range Transportation Plan attached hereto as Exhibit A, which by this reference is

incorporated herein.

October 2013 Session

JAR LRTP update

Page 1 of 2

CERTIFICATION

I hereby certify that this Joint Action Resolution entitled “RESOLUTION TO

UPDATE THE CROW INDIAN RESERVATION TTP LONG RANGE

TRANSPORTATION PLAN” was duly enacted by the Crow Tribal Legislature with a

vote of 13 in favor 0 opposed, and _0_ abstaining and that a quorum was present on this

15" day of October, 2013.

Cpbeen. Jaa Claud)

Carlson Goes Ahead

Speaker of the House

Crow Tribal Legislature

ATTEST:

R. Knute Old Crow, Sr. let “S

Secretary re SEAL tee

23 a

Crow Tribal Legislature

EXECUTIVE ACTION

Thereby

X approve or veto

This Joint Action Resolution entitled “RESOLUTION TO UPDATE THE CROW

INDIAN RESERVATION TTP LONG RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLAN”

pursuant to the authority vested in the Chairman of the Crow Tribe by Article V, Section

8 of the Constitution and Bylaws of the Crow Tribe of Indians, on this 55 day of

Dao QU 2013.

SS Wi

~~ Darrin Old Coyotes. hairman

Crow Tribal Executive Branch

October 2013 Session

JAR LRTP update

Page 2 of 2

Joint Action Resolution Titled: “RESOLUTION TO UPDATE THE CROW INDIAN RESERVATION

TTP LONG RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLAN”

Bill or Resolution: JAR13-18 Introduced by:Chairman Darrin Old Coyote Date of Vote:_10/15/2013

Number

Representative: Yes No Abstained

H. Two Leggins Xx

V. Pretty Paint 4

C. J. Stewart

K. Shane x

L. Other Medicine x

A.Coyote-Runs, Sr. Xx

L. Not Afraid. Xx

M. Covers Up, Sr. Xx

P. Alden, Jr.

M. Not Afraid x

V. Crooked Arm x

L. DeCrane x

B. Hugs

G. Real Bird, Jr. x

M. Backbone

G. Stewart

R. K. Old Crow,Sr. x

Secretary of the House

C. Goes Ahead x

Speaker of the House

Totals: 13 0 0

Result of Vote:

Passed Not Passed Tabled Veto-Override

Senator Carlson Goes Ahead Date Senator R. Knute Old Crow, Sr. Date

Speaker of the House Secretary of the House

EXHIBIT A

LONG RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLAN

LONG RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLAN

Crow Reservation

Final Report

June, 2012

FRE

CR

Long Range nsportation Plan

Table of Contents

Introduction

Purpose and Scope.... 2

Organization of the Study... eee c eee e eee eeeeeee sees eeeeeeeeeseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeseeeeeseeeeessseaeeeeeeeeeaeees 2

The Crow Nation........

Part One — Existing Conditions

1.1 Demographics and Development

1.1.1 Population and Housing Characteristics

1.1.2 Economic Conditions and Employment

1.1.3 Physical Characteristics.................

1.1.4 Land Ownership.......

1.1.5 Existing Land Use..

1.1.6 Land Use Control...

1.1.7 Law Enforcement...

1.2. Transportation System

1.2.1 Existing Roadway System

1.2.2 Functional Classification of Roadways

1.2.3 Functional Classification Definitions.

1.2.3.1 State Highway Classifications.

1.2.3.2 BIA Road Classifications........

1.2.4 Bridges and Drainage Structures..

1.2.5 Postal Delivery Routes

1.2.6 School Bus ROWS vss cccccvae sess necurenessvesany wsunansenucseenmveunnaerewereer RecN

1.2.7 Transit Routes..........

1.218 Regional. Lransportation ss.iccicnccessswvsiswesnenwvemummneer eer ereusre eae oeuaa mere aweeNNEETE

Part Two — TTP Inventory Update

2:4, Roadway lnventonyicicccccscensnsannnesecorruammanccereyecservees ei ueense ae miner neeNeURES 2-1

2.1.1 Revisions to the Crow TTP Inventory .

2.1.2 Mileage Corrections to the Crow TTP Inventory................ccccceseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeanees 2-1

2.1.3 Existing Road Sections to be Added to the Crow TTP Inventory..............ccccceccceeeeeeeseee 2-1

2.1.4 Road Sections to be Deleted from the Crow TTP Inventory... . 2-2

2.1.5 Bridges to be Added to the Crow TTP Inventory............ 2-2

2.1.6 Bridges to be Deleted from the Crow TTP Inventory.. . 2-2

2.2 Existing Traffic VOlUMe@S svscessscscasssesseemnernoenmenmuneem nes arene 2-4

Transp Plan

Part Three — The Transportation Plan

3.1 Future Development Plans...............ccceceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeueeeeeeeeeseeeseeeesesaeeeesaueeeuseeeeaae

3.1.1 Tribal Goals and Objectives.....0..0... coc eee ceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees

3.1.2 Future Development Plans..

3.1.3 Projected Travel Demand...

3.1.4 Projected Traffic Volumes.........

3.1.5 Analysis of Demand and Capacity

Crow Tribal Long Range Transportation Plan Page 1 of 33

3.2 Recommended Transportation Improvements..............:00ceeeeeeeees

3.2.1 Proposed Road Sections to be Added to the Crow TTP Inventory...

3.2.2 Proposed Projects............. ccc ccecce eee eeeueeeueeeeeeueeeeeeeeeeeeeeesens

3.2.3 Project Cost Estimates..

3.2.4 TTP Construction FUNGING.............0cccccceecceeceeeceeeeueeeueeeeeeseeeeeeeeeeeseeeeeueeeeeeeneeeness

3.2.5 Government Agency Responsibilities. ................ccc cece cece cece eeceeeeeeeeeeeeuseeeeeeeeeeueeenees

3.3 Transportation Studies and Planning Recommendations. .

3.4 Plan Implementation and Updating

Tables

Table 1.1 Selected Characteristics of Existing Roads

Table 1.2 Bridges on the Existing TTP System......

Table 1.4 Motor Vehicle Accidents................:.sscceseseenseee :

Table 2.1 Summary of the 2005 Updated Crow TTP System.............cceeeeeeeeeeeeeeees 1 2-2

Table 2.2 Existing Bridges Recommended for Addition to the Crow TTP Inventory.... 3

Table 2.3 Annual Average Daily Traffic. .............cccccecceccceeceneeeeeeueeeueeaeeeneeaes 2 2-4

Table 3.1 Population and Housing Projections for the Crow Nation 2012-2032. .

Table 3.2 Projected Average Daily Traffic VolUMES.......0..0.. ec eee ee cece teeeeeeeee se eaaneees 3-5

Table 3.3 Project Cost Estimate Data.....00.... ice cece eee eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaeaaaeeeeeereeeeaes 3-8

Figures

Figure 1 Location Map..........ccccccceecceeeceeeceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeueeeeeeneeeeeeueeeeeeeseeaueeensesteensseaes 4

Exhibits

Exhibit'1 Traffic Count Locations :sccssesewacsscsemssscesecome ie ncrree rine ieee Apx B

Lc Tr

Appendices

A Indian Reservation Roads Inventory Data

B Traffic Count Data

C Sample Tribal Resolution

Maps

TTP System and Proposed Transportation Projects

LOr ge Transportation Plan: Introductic 1

INTRODUCTION

The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), in accordance with the 1983 Memorandum of Agreement

between the BIA and Federal Highway Administration, requires transportation plans to identify

and meet transportation needs of Indian tribes nationwide. The MOA and subsequent updates

state that the BIA shall carry out a transportation planning process for Indian Reservation Roads

(TTP) to support its road construction and improvement program. The Moving Ahead for

Progress in the 21° century Act (P.L. 112-141),continued the authorization of Highway Account

of the Highway Trust Fund,to be made available each fiscal year under the TTP Program for

obligation to transportation planning. This study was initiated by the Crow Nation through the

Transportation Planning Program and P.L. 93-638.

Tribal Transportation Program (TTP)

Public roads, including roads on the Federal Aid System, that are located within, or provide

access to, an Indian reservation, Indian trust land, or restricted Indian land which is not subject

to fee title alienation without the approval of the Federal Government. This includes Indian and

Alaska Native villages, or Oklahoma communities in which Indians and Alaska Natives reside,

whom the Secretary of the Interior has determined are eligible for services generally available to

Indians under Federal laws specifically applicable to Indians.

Road Systems within the TTP

Crow Tribal Transportation Department Road System means those existing and proposed TTPs

for which the BIA has or plans to obtain legal right-of-way. The BIA has the primary

responsibility to improve and maintain the roads on this system. Any changes to this system

must be supported by a tribal resolution.

Crow Tribal Long Range Transportation Plan Page 2 of 33

Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Reservation Development Road System means existing public

highways and proposed routes for which the Bureau of Indian Affairs has, or plans to obtain, a

legal right-of-way and which serve the development needs of Indian reservations and Alaska

Native villages.

Highway Trust Fund Road System means existing BIA routes or sections of routes which were

constructed or improved using Highway Trust Funds.

Tribal Road System means public roads whose rights-of-way are under the jurisdiction of a tribe.

County or Township Road System means public roads whose rights-of-way are under the

jurisdiction of a county, township, or road district.

State Highway System means public highways whose rights-of-way are under the jurisdiction of

a state.

Other Federal Agency Public Roads means public roads whose rights-of-way are under the

jurisdiction of various Federal agencies, such as the Bureau of Land Management, Forest

Service, Corps of Engineers, National Park Service, Bureau of Reclamation, Department of

Defense, and others.1

PURPOSE AND SCOPE

This Long Range Transportation Plan was prepared to meet the Crow Nation’s goal of

identifying and inventorying roads eligible for the TTP system so as to secure funding for

needed transportation improvements. This study presents a plan to improve existing

transportation facilities and develop new transportation opportunities within the Crow

Reservation.

The Crow Nation is under the jurisdiction of the BIA’s Rocky Mountain Regional Office (RMRO),

which must review the contents and methodologies of this study to fulfill the requirements set

forth in MAP-21 .

This study considers the potential transportation impacts of existing and planned tribal

development projects to establish a prioritized list of transportation needs. The study includes

the following tasks:

« Inventory TTP roads;

+ Identify obvious roadside hazards that may exist on the TTP system;

+ Identify and evaluate present and future transportation needs;

+ Provide a long range transportation plan that prioritizes short- and long term transportation

improvement projects.

ORGANIZATION OF THE STUDY

This study was developed through work sessions and communications with tribal

representatives and staff of Big Horn County, Yellowstone County, and the Montana

Department of Transportation (MDT). Tribal data were obtained from tribal officials,

representatives of state and federal agencies, on-site reconnaissance, and documents—

principally the following:

+ http://lib.Ibhe.cc.mt.us/about/;

+ http://factfinder.census.gov.

The study consists of Phases |, II, and Ill.

Phase | - Data Collection

During this phase, Crow Department of Transportation (DOT) Planning contacts the following

entities to identify key personnel, arrange future meetings, and gather all pertinent information:

« Crow Nation;

+ BIA Rocky Mountain Regional Office, Division of Transportation;

« Montana Department of Transportation.

Also in this phase, part one of the three-part transportation plan is prepared. This report

provides a summary of the existing tribal transportation network, land use and development on

the Crow Reservation, and tribal demographics.

Phase II —- TTP Inventory Update

Crow Tribal Long Range Transportation Plan Page 3 of 33

In Phase Il Crow DOT compares the tribe’s existing TTP Inventory with the newly collected road

inventory data to establish recommendations for updating the Crow Reservation’s road

inventory. Part two of the transportation plan includes a copy of the existing TTP inventory, the

new roadway inventory, and an Inventory Comparison Listing table which compares the existing

and the updated inventory data.

Phase III — Analysis of Transportation

Needs

In this phase, Crow DOT analyzes roadway capacities, levels of service, travel speeds, safety

standards, and adequacy design standards. These analyses determine deficiencies of the

existing transportation system and identify future transportation needs. Travel demand studies

are also conducted for the study area. This includes identifying and evaluating present and

future travel demands of existing and proposed principal arterials, collectors, and local roads.

Crow DOT also surveys community attitudes regarding future transportation needs and planning

through an ongoing dialogue with tribal officials and staff, and BIA personnel.

Phase Ill lists and evaluates social and economic factors associated with the proposed

improvements to existing routes (or sections of routes) and new road construction. It also

describes individually identified and prioritized road improvement projects, justifications, costs to

construct, and general time frames for implementation.

Some of the factors considered in this evaluation include:

« The number of enterprises and/or small businesses located on a route;

« The number of existing homes served by a route;

« The classification of each route.

This final phase also includes preparing a Tribal Transportation Improvement Project list, which

recommends a prioritized list of road improvement projects proposed for funding. Following the

BIA guidelines established for this process, CROW DOT assists the tribe in developing the tribal

TIP and submits it to the BIA. The finalized tribal TIP is added to the Long Range Transportation

Plan, which is submitted to the tribe as the final project deliverable.

THE CROW NATION

The Crow tribe call themselves "Apsaalooke", which means "children of the large beaked

bird." The ancestral Crow are originally an agricultural tribe from the western area of the upper

Great Lakes. They began their expansion westwards in approximately 1300 A.D. It is proposed

that as eastern tribes acquired firearms from Europeans, neighboring tribes to the west who still

used bows and arrows were pushed out. The ancestral Crow moved extensively across the

upper Midwest of the United States and possibly into southern Canada before splitting into two

separate groups in the early 1600’s. One group remained near the Heart River in North Dakota

and became the agricultural Hidatsa Tribe, while the other group resumed their wandering. Over

approximately 100 years the nomadic group moved as far west as north central Utah, south into

Oklahoma, Arkansas and perhaps Missouri, and eventually north into Wyoming and southern

Montana. It was during the latter years of their expansion that the nomadic Crow acquired

horses and came to depend on the buffalo.

In the mid-1800s increasing numbers of miners and settlers, many in search of gold, began

passing through or laying claim to Crow land. In the 1851 Treaty of Fort Laramie, the Crow

agreed to live within a 33-million acre area in exchange for a yearly payment and government

protection from attacks by non-Indian settlers. Neither payments nor protection were

forthcoming and the Crow were decimated by disease, inter-tribal warfare, and the disappearing

buffalo. Settlers continued to expand further into Crow territory and the reservation was reduced

five times between the Second Ft. Laramie Treaty of 1868 and the Allotment Act of 1920. Today

approximately half of the 2.2 million-acre Crow Reservation is owned by tribal members and the

tribal government.

PART ONE

Crow Tribal Long Range Transportation Plan Page 4 of 33

EXISTING CONDITIONS

1.1 Demographics and Development

Transportation systems have long been a vital and necessary part of society. Therefore, the

evaluation of an existing transportation network or projection of future transportation needs

requires an understanding of existing land use, future land use, economic activity, and

development trends.

1.1.1 Population and Housing

Characteristics

Of the 13,068 enrolled members of the Crow Nation, approximately 9,078 reside on the Crow

Reservation. Tribal members are divided into three subgroups: Mountain Crow, River Crow, and

Kicked in the Bellies. An additional 5,000 non-Indians reside within the exterior boundary of the

Crow Reservation. The reservation’s population growth rate is estimated to be approximately

three percent per year. The gender ratio is almost equal, with 50.3 percent females and 49.7

percent males. The median age is 27; 9.9 percent of the population is under five years old, and

6.5 percent are 65 or older. Census 2000 identified 22.8 percent of the population of the Crow

Reservation as having no high school diploma, 30.5 percent as having graduated from high

school, and 13.8 percent as having a bachelors degree or higher. Census 2000 counted 2,280

housing units on the Crow Reservation with an average household size of 3.6. However, these

figures include the non-Indian communities located within the exterior boundary of the

reservation and the Tribe estimates that average tribal member household size to be six people.

The Tribe also estimates that approximately 60 percent of existing housing is substandard, and

that there is an additional unmet housing need of 500 units.

1.1.2 Economic Conditions and

Employment

Approximately 24 percent of reservation residents are employed by government agencies,

which, includes the tribal government, Bureau of Indian Affairs, federal government, county

government and the State of Montana. Up to six percent of employment is in the agricultural

sector, two percent in retail, four percent in manufacturing, four percent in mineral extraction,

two percent in the service industry, and 6 percent in services such as education, health care

and law enforcement. A significant number of reservation residents are engaged in small-scale

farming and ranching operations. It is estimated that approximately 66 percent of Crow

Reservation residents are unemployed. In 2000, the median household income of reservation

residents was $27,044; the median family income was $31,958, and the per capita income was

$15,066. Persons living below the poverty level in Big Horn County is at 23.5%.

1.1.3 Physical Characteristics

The Crow Reservation is located in south central Montana. The reservation is bordered by

Wyoming to the south, the Northern Cheyenne Reservation to the east, and the northwest

boundary of the reservation is about ten miles east of Billings.

Reservation topography is characterized by sharp-edged mountains, flat alluvial floodplains, and

rolling upland plains. Much of the western portion of the reservation is difficult to negotiate, as

the hills that climb from the plains are dissected by a labyrinth of coulees and canyons.

Reservation elevations vary between 7,000 feet in the mountains to between 3,000 and 4,500

feet on the plains. Portions of three mountain ranges are located on the Crow Reservation: the

Wolf Mountains to the east, and the Big Horn and Pryor Mountains to the south. There are also

three major drainage systems on the reservation: the Big Horn River, Little Big Horn River, and

Pryor Creek.

The Crow Reservation enjoys a relatively moderate climate for its latitude. The warm Chinook

winds that blow from the western mountain melt most snow accumulations. The mean annual

temperature is 45.5 degrees Fahrenheit with a summer high of 110 degrees Fahrenheit and a

winter low of — 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Most of the reservation receives between 12 to 18

inches annual precipitation, depending on the elevation.

Crow Tribal Long Range Transportation Plan Page 5 of 33

1.1.4 Land Ownership

Of the 2.125 million acres which comprise the Crow Reservation, 1.425 million acres are held in

trust for the Crow Nation. The Crow Nation owns 18 percent of the reservation, while 50 percent

of the acreage is owned by individual allottees. Approximately 700,000 acres within the exterior

boundary of the reservation are in fee status, which makes up part of the 32 percent of the

reservation which is owned by non-Indians. Combined with the individually allotted land within

the reservation, the Crow land base is characterized by significant “checker-boarding” of Indian

and non-Indian land. In an effort to reclaim the allotments and any other non-tribally owned

property within the exterior boundary of the Crow Reservation, the tribe has established a fund

from which to purchase available property.

1.1.5 Existing Land Use

Residential

The Crow Reservation is divided into six districts: Lodge Grass (The Valley of the Chiefs),

Wyola (Mighty Few), Reno, Bighorn, Pryor and Black Lodge. Reno which is Crow Agency is the

largest reservation community, with approximately 3,245 residents. The majority of BIA and IHS

housing is located in Crow Agency, although government housing is also available for IHS

employees in Lodge Grass. Approximately 2,125 people reside in Lodge Grass. Pryor is located

69 miles northwest of Crow Agency, and approximately 1,108 people reside in the community.

Wyola, the smallest of the reservation communities, is located 13 miles from Lodge Grass and

341 people reside here.

The National Park Service and Bureau of Land Management provide housing for their

employees in Fort Smith. Housing is provided by the Crow Housing Authority in the district

communities as well as on rural scattered sites across the reservation.

Public Service and Institutional Facilities

The Crow tribal government and the BIA maintain headquarters in Crow Agency.

Other government facilities in the community include the Crow Tribal Court, the Crow/Northern

Cheyenne Hospital, the Little Big Horn Community College, and the college library and fitness

center. There are two satellite health clinics on the Crow Reservation: the Lodge Grass Health

Center and the Pryor Health Station. A number of federal agencies maintain offices on the Crow

Reservation. They include the National Park Service and Bureau of Land Management Fort

Smith, and Indian Health Offices and USDA Crow Agency Conservation Services in Crow

Agency. Eight elementary schools and three high schools serve the Crow Reservation. The

high school and elementary schools in Hardin are located off-reservation, although a number of

tribal members attend the schools. On-reservation schools include: elementary through high

school in Lodge Grass and Pryor; the Pretty Eagle Catholic elementary school in St. Xavier; the

St. Charles Catholic school in Pryor (elementary through 8 Grade); Crow Agency Grade School

(first through sixth); the Ft. Smith Grade School (first through fifth); and the Wyola Grade School

(Kindergarten through eighth).

There are six community centers on the Crow Reservation, one in each district: Wyola (Mighty

Few), Reno, Bighorn, Pryor and Black Lodge and Lodge Grass (The Valley of the Chiefs).

Commercial

There is limited commercial activity on the Crow Reservation. Most of the commercial activity is

owned and operated by individual tribal members and non Indians which mostly comprised of

such activities as selling food, retail curio shops, and building construction. The Crow Tribe

owns the Apsaalooke Nights Casino, which is located on SH 212 approximately two miles south

of Crow Agency. In this area the non Indians own a fast food complex, gas station and thrift

store which is located adjacent to the casino. A complex hosting a museum, gas station and

fast food restaurants is located a little to the south in Garryowen.

Historical/Cultural

Crow Tribal Long Range Transportation Plan Page 6 of 33

The annual Crow Fair, one of the largest powwows held in the United States, takes place at

Crow Agency in the third week of August. Crow Native Days takes place annually in Crow

Agency around June 20°on the anniversary of the Battle of the Little Big Horn. The Little Big

Horn National Battlefield and Chief Plenty Coups Memorial State Park are both located on the

reservation, and a small museum is located in Garryowen. There are a large number of

churches on the Crow Reservation which represent a number of denominations. Churches are

located in Wyola, Lodge Grass, Crow Agency, Black Lodge, St. Xavier, Ft. Smith, and Pryor.

Recreation

Yellowtail Dam, located in Big Horn Canyon, is a popular fishing, water sports and camping

destination. The dam encompasses 120,000 acres and draws up to 230,000 annual users. The

Big Horn River is designated as a blue ribbon river and generates revenue of 20 million.

Most recreation facilities are located in Hardin and are associated with the schools. A

gymnasium is located approximately half mile south of Crow Agency. Adjacent to the tribal

complex is a rodeo ground and horse race track. A small veteran’s memorial park is located at

the intersection of the Frontage Road and I-90.

Agricultural

Agriculture is the most important commercial activity on the reservation and is comprised of both

irrigated and dry-land farming. Crop acreage amounts to 213,750 acres (15 percent of the

reservation) on which alfalfa, grass hay, wheat, barley, oats, corn and sugar beets are grown.

This is wholly comprised of individually-owned farming operations, as is the ranching activities

of cattle and horses. Grazing land includes 969,000 acres or 68 percent of the reservation.

There are 138 native farmers who operate 838,738 acres with an average farm size of 6,078

acres. There are 9,842 head of cattle owned by Crow Indians.

The Crow Tribe owns and operates a commercial bison herd of approximately 1,500 head,

which is the largest in Indian Country. The buffalo pasture is approximately 14,300 acres over

an area of approximately 22,000 acres located in the Big Horn Mountains. Up to 12,650 areas of

tribal land is forested with Juniper, Limber Pine and Ponderosa Pine. The tribe does not have

any commercial timber operations and forests are primarily used for grazing and gathering

firewood.

Industrial

The Westmoreland Coal Mine, located in the eastern portion of the reservation, provides royalty

income for the tribal government and is a source of employment for tribal members. A power

plant is located one mile north of Hardin and employs a few tribal members, although the tribe

does not receive royalties from this operation. There is also a proposed coal mine project being

developed in the southeast corner of the reservation called the Big Metal project. Including,

Upper Young’s Creek Coal mine project. These future developments will provide increased

royalty income and more sources of employment for tribal members.

1.1.6 Land Use Control

Land use on the Crow Reservation is controlled by the Crow Tribal Government. The tribe has a

land use plan but there is no zoning ordinance through which to enforce the land use plan.

1.1.7 Law Enforcement

Tribal members are under the jurisdiction of the Crow Agency BIA Law Enforcement Services,

Crow tribal police. The Crow Tribal Court is located in Crow Agency.

1.2. Transportation System

This section describes the road system utilized by Crow Reservation residents. While emphasis

is on the road system, public transit and other service routes, such as school bus and mail

delivery, are also addressed.

1.2.1 Existing Roadway System

Public roads within the Crow Reservation are constructed and maintained by the BIA Crow

Crow Tribal Long Range Transportation Plan Page 7 of 33

Agency, Big Horn County, Yellowstone County, and the Montana Department of Transportation

(MDT). There are 2,227.6 miles of road on the existing Crow Reservation TTP inventory. The

detail

Table 1.1 —- Selected Characteristics of Existing Roads

of this road mileage is presented in Table

1.2.

1.2.2 Functional Classification of

Roadways

Roads are classified or grouped into integrated systems by the functions they perform with

regard to moving traffic and providing property access. Each road is ranked by its relative

importance and the function it is intended to serve. Within the TTP system there are two types

of road classification systems: State Highway Classifications and BIA Road Classifications. Both

the state and the BIA use functional classification as the basis for classifying their roads.

However, the criteria used to determine specific classifications differ between the two systems.

1.2.3 Functional Classification

Definitions

Functional classification identifies the role each street or highway plays in channeling traffic .,

through a rural or urban environment in a logical and efficient manner. There are three general

functional classification categories: Arterials, Collectors, and Local Roads. An arterial's function

is to move through-traffic at high speeds over long distances with limited access. Local roads or

streets move traffic at relatively low speeds and provide access to adjacent property. Urban and

rural areas have fundamentally different characteristics with regard to density and types of land

use, density of street and highway networks, nature of travel patterns, and the way in which

these elements are related. Consequently, urban and rural functional systems are classified

separately. Urban systems are comprised of urban principal arterials, urban collectors, and

urban local roads. Rural systems are comprised of rural principal arterials, rural minor arterials,

rural collectors, and rural local roads. General definitions of the three general functional

classifications, along with desirable characteristics, are given below.

Arterials

Arterials carry relatively large volumes of traffic through states and to major destinations such as

work sites or commercial centers. Arterials fall into two categories: principal and minor. Principal

(major) arterials include federal and interstate highways, state highways that serve urban areas

with a population greater than 50,000, and state highways that serve a majority of areas with

populations of 25,000 or more. Minor arterials provide interstate and intercounty service to cities

and towns with populations of less than 25,000, and attractions that draw travel over long

distances. Principal arterials usually have four traffic lanes (two lanes in each direction), provide

left-turn lanes at most intersections, and are separated by a median or continuous left-turn lane.

Minor arterials may only have two traffic lanes and generally provide left-turn lanes at major

intersections. A minimum right-of-way width of 100 to 150 feet is desirable for an arterial,

although wider rights-of-way are needed for arterials with more than four lanes.

Collectors

Collectors generally serve intra-county and regional travel that has shorter travel distances than

that supported by arterials. Collectors also provide a balance between mobility and land access

by generally permitting access to all abutting properties. There are two categories of collectors:

major and minor. Major collectors provide service to any county seat or a community not served

by an arterial road, and serve other traffic generators of intra-county importance: regional parks,

consolidated schools, agricultural areas, shipping points, etc. Minor collectors are spaced at

intervals consistent with population density. They collect traffic from local roads and provide

access to all developed areas within a reasonable distance of a higher classified road. A

minimum right-of-way width of 80 to 100 feet is desirable for a collector.

Crow Tribal Long Range Transportation Plan Page 8 of 33

Local Roads

Local roads comprise the balance of the road network and carry low volume, low speed traffic.

The primary function of a local road is to provide access to individual parcels of property. Local

roads usually serve residential areas and may also serve scattered business and industrial sites

that generate modest traffic. A minimum righ-tof- way of 60 to 80 feet is desirable for a local

road.

1.2.3.1 State Highway Classifications

Functional classification of roads has been

used by state highway departments for

many years for a variety of important

highway functions: assigning jurisdictional

responsibility, determining cost allocations,

allocating funds to local units of government,

and establishing appropriate design

standards. Prior to enactment of the Intermodal

Surface Transportation Efficiency

Act of 1991 (ISTEA), it became apparent that

the 20-year old federally mandated functional

classifications needed modification.

Although routinely updated by states, functional

classifications were no longer consistent

among the states and it was agreed that

they should be reclassified before a national

highway system was established. As a result,

Congress included Section 1006(c) in

ISTEA, which required states to reclassify

their roads and streets, under oversight of

the Federal Highway Administration, by

September 30, 1996.

1.2.3.2 BIA Road Classifications

The BIA road system has 11 classes of

routes: seven vehicular, and four non vehicular.

Functional classification is used

by the BIA to group roads into a specific

vehicular class based on the existing or anticipated

function of the road. The road

classes are then combined with the traffic

characteristics of the road to select criteria

and standards for the adequate design of

the facility. Definitions of the eleven BIA

road system classes are given below, together

with the list of roads the BIA-DOT

inventory includes in each class.

1.2.4 Inherited roads from Big Horn County

7004 Pass Creek/8 mi

7006 Back Bone Rd Wyola/15 mi

8001 Lodge Grass Upper Rd/ 8.2 mi Willow Creek

8002 Upper Rotten Grass/5mi

116 Grey Blanket Rd/8 mi

Crow Tribal Long Range Transportation Plan Page 9 of 33

89 Sioux Pass Rd/16mi]

7005 Owl Creek Rd/5mi

8 Edgar Rd/6mi

Class 1

These are major arterial roads that provide

an integrated network to serve traffic between

large population centers. They generally

do not have stub connections, have

more than two lanes of traffic, and carry an

average traffic volume of 10,000 vehicles per

day or more. This is a new classification in

fe Transoortation Pian: Part One

the TTP System and there are no existing

Class 1 roads on the Crow TTP System.

Class 2

Class 2 roads are rural minor arterials

which provide an integrated network and

generally do not have stub connections.

They serve traffic between large population

centers and may also link smaller towns

and communities to major destination areas

that attract travel over long distances. They

are generally designed for relatively high

overall speeds with minimum interference

to through-traffic, and carry less than 10,000

vehicles per day. Class 2 routes provide for

at least inter-county or interstate travel and

are spaced at intervals consistent with

population density. There are 141.7 miles of

Class 2 roads identified on the Crow TTP

System.

Class 3

Class 3 routes are streets and roads that are

located within communities and serve residential

or other urban settings. These roads

correspond to the Local Roads category in

the state highway classification. There are

27.1 miles of Class 3 roads on the Crow TTP

System.

Class 4

Class 4 routes are rural major collectors

which collect traffic from rural local roads.

There are 391.9 miles of Class 4 roads identified

on the Crow TTP System.

Class 5

These are local rural roads that may include

section line and stub-out roads that collect

traffic for arterial- roads and make connections

within the grid of the Indian Reservation

Crow Tribal Long Range Transportation Plan Page 10 of 33

Roads system. Such routes may serve

areas around villages or provide access to

farming areas, schools, tourist attractions or

various small enterprises. This class also

includes roads and vehicular trails for administering

forests, grazing areas, mining

and oil operations, recreation, or other purposes.

There are no Class 5 roads on the

Crow TTP System.

Class 6

These are city minor arterial streets that are

located within communities and provide

access to major arterials. This is a new classification

in the TTP System and there are no

existing Class 6 roads on the Crow TTP System.

Class 7

These are city collector streets that are located

within communities and provide access

to city local streets. This is a new classification

in the TTP System and there are no

existing Class 7 roads on the Crow TTP System.

Class 8

Class 8 routes are non-road type projects

such as paths, trails, walkways and other

routes for public use by foot traffic, bicycles,

trail bikes, snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles,

or other non-vehicular traffic. This is a

new classification in the TTP System and

there are no existing Class 8 roads on the

Crow TTP System.

Class 9

Class 9 routes encompass other transportation

facilities such as parking facilities adjacent

to TTP routes and scenic byways such

as rest areas, other scenic pullouts, ferry

boat terminals, and transit terminals. This is

a new classification in the TTP System and

there are no existing Class 9 roads on the

Crow TTP System.

Long Range |

Class 10

Class 10 routes are defined as airstrips that

are within the boundaries of the TTP system

and are open to the public. These airstrips

are included for inventory and maintenance

purposes only. This is a new classification

in the TTP System and there are no existing

Class 10 roads on the Crow TTP System.

Class 11

Crow Tribal Long Range Transportation Plan Page 11 of 33

This classification indicates an overlapping

of a previously inventoried section, or sections

of a route, and is used to indicate that

it is not to be used for accumulating needs

data. This class is used for reporting and

identification purposes only. This is a new

classification in the TTP System and there

are no existing Class 11 roads on the Crow

TTP System.

1.2.4 Bridges and Drainage Structures

There are 23 bridges on the existing Crow

TTP system. Data for these bridges is presented

in Table 1.3.

1.2.5 Postal Delivery Routes

There are home mail delivery routes

within the Crow Reservation. Residents collect

their mail at the post offices in Crow

Agency, Garryowen, Wyola, Lodge Grass,

St. Xavier, Fort Smith and

Pryor.

1.2.6 School Bus Routes

There are a number of education-related

transit routes on the Crow Reservation.

The Headstart program provides

transportation for its students, and each of

the eight elementary schools and three high

school provides school bus services for the

students

Table 1.2 - Bridges on the Existing TTP System

1 20 C277 30

4 20 C237 93

4 40 C236 26

4 60 C230 20

4 80 C232 20

4 100 C233 460

4 120 C234 92

4 140 C235 58

6 100 C226 118

8 20 C225 75

14 20 C202 20

16 20 C203 60

73 20 C220 79

73 40 C218 63

73 60 C217 68

73 80 C221 47

91 40 C208 524

91 60 C207 68

114 20 C224 47

191 20 C211 41

205 20 C223 23

205 40 C222 61

226 20 C219 21

CROW RESERVA

an: Part One

Crow Tribal Long Range Transportation Plan Page 12 of 33

1.2.7 Transit Routes

The Crow Nation Transit Service serves the Crow tribe in transporting passengers on and off

reservation such as Wyola, Lodge Grass, Hardin and Billings. Passengers include tribal

workers, students, government employees and IHS patients. The transit system has seven

buses that run approximately 700 miles a day with an average of forty passengers one way.

There are three full time drivers and one sub. A route is attached on table.

1.2.8 Regional Transportation

Major highways through the Crow Reservation

include I-90 which extends north-south

through the entire reservation; Highway 85

and the Burlington Northern-Santa Fe railroad

which run parallel to the interstate,

and Highway 212 which connects Crow

Agency and the Northern Cheyenne Reservation.

The closest commercial air service is available

in Billings, as is commercial bus service.

PART TWO

TTP INVENTORY UPDATE

Recommended revisions to the existing

Crow Reservation TTP Inventory are subject

to the approval of the Crow Nation and the

BIA-RMRO.

2.1 Roadway Inventory

As part of the 2005 Crow Reservation TTP

Inventory update, CROW DOT staff inventoried

all roads on the existing Crow Reservation

TTP Inventory, as well as existing roads

which the tribe wishes to add to the inventory.

The data describes the physical characteristics

and condition of each road, and records:

+ Identification (including length, class,

location, etc.);

+ Roadway section;

« Inventory status (including date of update).

The minimum criterion used for inventory

purposes to classify a road as “improved” is

that it be graded and have drainage improvements

(i.e., side ditches and culverts

at cross-drainages).

An inventory data form was developed to

expedite fieldwork. Field inventory data

was then transferred to the BIA inventory

forms.

In order to make changes to the TTP Inventory,

CROW DOT's inventory data is first reviewed

by the tribes and BIA agency, regional,

and DOT offices. Following the

review and comment process, the Tribal

Crow Tribal Long Range Transportation Plan Page 13 of 33

Council, through formal resolution, accepts

the data and refers it to the BIA agency office,

regional office and DOT. The data (one

sheet per section of each route) provides

information regarding the physical characteristics

and condition of each road, and includes

a color photo of each section inventoried.

The inventory data forms are located

in Appendix A, Indian Reservation Roads Inventory

Data.

2.1.1 Revisions to the Crow TTP

Inventory

One of the objectives of the inventory update

is to identify reservation roads and

bridges that should be added to, or deleted

from, the BIA system or renumbered to

more logically reflect their relationship with

intersecting roads.

2.1.2 Mileage Corrections to the Crow

TTP Inventory

The mileage on 37 TTP routes on the existing

Crow TTP Inventory was corrected. 18

routes were shortened and 19 routes were

lengthened. See the Inventory Comparison

Listing table in Appendix A for these specific

roads.

2.1.3 Existing Road Sections to be

Added to the Crow TTP Inventory

There are 150 existing roads, which total

647.4 miles, which are eligible for addition

to the Crow TTP System. See the Inventory

Comparison Listing table in Appendix A for

these specific roads.

2.1.4 Roads to be deleted from public access

E 216 Garvin Basin/11mi

E 215 Big Bull Elk/20.4

E 235 Saw Log/ 24.3

E 225 Hunters Cabin/12.3mi

E 207 Red Grade Rd/9mi

Class 1

CROW DOT inventoried no Class 1 roads on the

Crow Reservation during the 2005 Inventory

Update.

Class 2

CROW DOT inventoried 219.5 miles of Class 2

roads on the Crow Reservation during the

2005 Inventory Update.

Crow Tribal Long Range Transportation Plan Page 14 of 33

Table 2.1 - Summary of the 2005 Updated Crow TTP System

Class 3

CROW DOT inventoried 6.9 miles of Class 3 roads

on the Crow Reservation during the 2005

Inventory Update.

Class 4

CROW DOT inventoried 845.1 miles of Class 4

roads on the Crow Reservation during the, also

misclassified 4 corrected to 5.

2005 Inventory Update.

Class 5

CROW DOT inventoried 90.5 miles of Class 5

roads on the Crow Reservation during the

2005 Inventory Update.

Classes 6-8

CROW DOT inventoried no Class 6 through Class

8 roads on the Crow Reservation during the

2005 Inventory Update.

Class 9

CROW DOT inventoried 3.5 miles of Class 9 roads

on the Crow Reservation during the 2005

Inventory Update.

Classes 10-11

CROW DOT inventoried no Class 10 through

Class 11 roads on the Crow Reservation

during the 2005 Inventory Update.

2.1.4 Roads to be Deleted from the

Crow TTP Inventory

There are 21 routes which total 132.8 miles,

that are recommended for deletion from the

Crow TTP Inventory. None of these roads

could be located; however, it can be assumed

that the roads were inventoried and

assigned new route numbers during the

2005 TTP Update. The mileage will be recommended

for addition under these new

route numbers.

2.1.5 Bridges to be Added to the Crow

TTP Inventory

CROW DOT inventoried 39 new drainage structures

that are eligible for addition to the TTP

system as BIA bridges. To qualify as such,

the total length of the drainage structure

must span a minimum of 20 feet along the

roadway centerline. Additionally, in the

case of culverts, the distance between each

culvert must be less than half of its diameter.

See Table 2.2 for a listing of existing drainage

structures that are recommended for

addition to the Crow TTP Inventory.

Crow Tribal Long Range Transportation Plan Page 15 of 33

During the Inventory Update three bridges

on the existing inventory were renumbered:

+ bridge C221 was renumbered to A023;

+ bridge C208 was renumbered to A002;

+ bridge C207 was renumbered to A003.

2.1.6 Bridges to be Deleted from the

Crow TTP Inventory

There are six bridges to be deleted from the

Crow TTP Inventory. CROW DOT inventory technicians

could not find these bridges during

the TTP Inventory Update. The bridge

numbers are: C202, C218, C224, C226, C230,

and C234.

BIA 164.7 27.3 178.2 101.7 0 471.9

County 93.3 36.9 275.8 263.8 0.5 670.3

Tribe 0.80000.3 1.1 :

Federal 22.20000 22.2

Total 281 64.2 454 365.5 0.8 1,165.5

CROW RESERVATION 2-3

Long Range Transportation Plan: Part Two

Table 2.2 — Existing Bridges Recommended for Addition to the Crow TTP Inventory

*- The bridge number was designated at the time of inventory.

4 120 C238 none 28 Asphalt Bridge

52 40 A050 L02223000+02001 55 Wood Bridge

73 40 A024 00000000000C217 69 Asphalt Bridge

74 30 A026 500313006+02721 60 Asphalt Bridge

74 50 A027 500313002+06761 40 Asphalt Bridge

76 30 A028 500384000+05101 533 Concrete Bridge

78 20 H007 500313008+03271 32 Earth Bridge

85 30 A007 none 40 Concrete Bridge

87 20 A021 500451034+00441 69 Asphalt Bridge

87 40 A020 500451033+03421 69 Asphalt Bridge

87 60 A019 500451024+09811 122 Concrete Bridge

87 80 A018 500451015+07741 64 Concrete Bridge

87 100 A017 500451008+06371 137 Concrete Bridge

91 20 A001 none 33 Asphalt Culverts

212 20 A022 P00037000+00001 200 Concrete Bridge

313 30 HOO1 L02090022+07001 65 Asphalt Bridge

313 50 H002 500313032+06911 101 Concrete Bridge

313 80 H003 500313023+08091 58 Concrete Bridge

313 100 H004 500313008+03271 574 313 Bridge

313 120 H005 500313008+00411 28 Asphalt Culverts

313 140 HO06 500313007+08411 70 Concrete Bridge

384 20 A025 500384001+06281 184 Concrete Bridge

418 20 A014 L02202012+02001 103 Concrete Bridge

418 50 A015 L02202009+07001 94 Concrete Bridge

418 70 A016 L02202000+05001 104 Concrete Bridge

463 20 A013 L02090002+02001 103 Asphalt Bridge

3002 40 C900 none 39 Concrete Bridge

3101 30 C901 00000000000C234 80 Concrete Bridge

3102 30 C902 none 41 Wood Bridge

3104 20 C905 none 44 Wood Bridge

3105 40 C904 none 36 Wood Bridge

7004 20 A008 none 24 Gravel Bridge

Crow Tribal Long Range Transportation Plan Page 16 of 33

7004 40 A009 L02273000+01001 60 Concrete Bridge

7006 20 A012 L02266000+04001 88 Concrete Bridge

7007 20 A010 L02318010+03001 93 Gravel Culverts

7007 40 A011 L02318001+08001 28 Gravel Culverts

7546 20 C200 none 34 Wood Bridge

9000 20 A004 L02224003+09001 44 Asphalt Bridge

9004 20 A006 1320003P0000000 22 Gravel Culverts

CROW RESERVATION 2-4

Long Transportation Plan: Part Two

2.2 Existing Traffic Volumes

CROW DOT performed traffic volume studies to

determine the average annual daily traffic

(AADT) on the Crow Reservation TTP system.

These counts indicate whether or not

the existing roads adequately service current

traffic volumes.

Mechanical 24-hour counts were conducted

at 75 locations using Jamar traffic counters.

The traffic counters recorded hourly variations

in traffic as well as the 24-hour totals.

Typically, recorded traffic volumes are adjusted

using an adjustment factor to mitigate

the impact of seasonal or other generally

predictable fluctuations in traffic. The

mechanical vehicle classification counts also

identified the number of heavy vehicles (i.e.

trucks and buses) that were included in the

total traffic count.

Hourly volume data derived from the 75

counters is presented in full in Appendix B,

Traffic Count Data. The 24-Hour Traffic

Count table, found at the beginning of Appendix

B, summarizes this data and presents

the current AADT volumes that were

calculated using MDT adjustment factors.

All count locations are illustrated on Exhibit

1 -— Traffic Count Locations and Average Daily

Traffic, also found in Appendix B.

AADT data was used in conjunction with

the inventory data to update the road inventory

files, determine capacity deficiencies,

and identify potential roadway improvement

projects.

CROW RES

Long Range Tra

PART THREE

THE TRANSPORTATION PLAN

3.1 Future Development Plans

Future development plans identified by the

tribe are incorporated into this report in the

following sections. These plans, and the impacts

that they will have on the existing

tion Plan: Part Three

rta

Crow Tribal Long Range Transportation Plan Page 17 of 33

roadway network, form the basis of recommended

roadway system improvements.

These are described in Section 3.2.2 and depicted

on the TTP System and Proposed

Transportation Projects map.

3.1.1 Tribal Goals and Objectives

The Crow Nation’s vision for future development

can be broadly categorized into the

following goals:

« Achieve economic independence from

federal, state and other public programs;

« Develop businesses and revenue

sources that create economic diversity;

« Create full-time, year-round jobs for

tribal members;

« Build an economy that supports tribal

values and sustains tribal culture.

3.1.2 Future Development Plans

The type and degree of development projected

by the target year 2032 on tribal land

is based upon the information provided by

tribal administrative staff. This data is used

to project traffic volumes that would likely

be generated by the various land uses and,

subsequently, to identify road and other

transportation-related improvements that

may be needed to handle that traffic. Proposed

development plans are as follows:

Residential

In order to address the existing unmet housing

need, the Crow Tribal Housing Authority

is planning to construct up to 1,000 single

family homes within ten years. At

present the infrastructure in Crow Agency

and Lodge Grass are being used to capacity

and it will be necessary to expand the infrastructure

network prior to burdening it further.

However, a 68-unit single family housing

Sub division is currently being built to the west of

Crow Agency, and will be completed in the fall of

2006.

Approximately 100 apartment homes are

planned in Crow Agency, although the

plans are presently stalled until rights-ofway

issues are addressed.

Institutional

The Crow Nation wishes to consolidate the

scattered reservation schooling system by

constructing one centralized school in Crow

Agency. Although the kindergarten

Crow Tribal Long Range Transportation Plan Page 18 of 33

through twelfth grade facility was initially

established as a ten-year plan, it is a high

tribal priority and is expected to become a

reality within five years.

The Seven Hills Healing Center is located

along Soap Creek Road between Lodge

Grass and Ft. Smith. Although the road was

poorly constructed and is in poor condition,

it is heavily used. Additionally, the road is

difficult to traverse during inclement

weather. Short term plans include gravelling

the road until it can be reconstructed

and paved, and the bridge replaced.

Little Big Horn Community College plans

to expand its facilities by constructing a

gymnasium which has been completed and

student dormitories adjacent

to Custer Creek Road.

The Crow Nation is planning to develop a

new tribal complex on Gas Cap Hill.

Recreation

In the spring of 2014 ground breaking will

occur for the construction of a youth and

Long Range Trar tion Plan: Part Three

recreation center. Facilities will include a

softball field, skate park, and football field.

The recreation center will be located on Gas

Cap Hill Road approximately half of a mile

east of Crow Agency on the east side of the

Little Big Horn River

Commercial

An interstate rest area is planned for the

west side of I-90 at the intersection of the

Interstate and State Highway 212. Construction

is scheduled to begin in 2014, and facilities

will also include a camp ground and a

casino.

A casino, 200-room motel and 18-hole golf

course are planned along State Highway

212, opposite the entrance to the Little Big

Horn Battle Field. Ground breaking is

planned for the spring of 2013.

Industrial

The Nation’s industrial development plans

all focus on extracting and processing fossil

fuels.

The tribe is in the process of developing a

a new coal mine project called the Big Metal coal mine project, in the southeast corner

of reservation.

3.1.3 Projected Travel Demand

Crow Tribal Long Range Transportation Plan Page 19 of 33

In its most basic form, travel demand is a

measure of the number of vehicles which

travel to and from a given area. Travel demand

provides a basis for assessing the current

roadway system and for identifying

how that system should be improved to accommodate

existing and future traffic.

Projection of travel demand has three components:

trip generation, trip distribution,

and trip assignment. The factors used to

generate the number of trips are derived

from existing land use and plans for proposed

land use. The probable degree of development

within the next 20 years is a factor

of population projections and the

economic resources available for implementing

development plans. Projected

population for the Crow Nation over the

next 20 years is provided in Table 3.1.

The most reliable way to estimate the traffic

generated by a proposed development is to

use the trip generation rates observed at an

existing development of similar land use

and building type. For this purpose, the

source document used was Trip Generation,

Sixth Edition, Institute of Transportation

Engineers, Washington, D.C., 1997.

3.1.4 Projected Traffic Volumes

Projected traffic volumes are a distribution

of the total projected trips generated by future

development. Also factored is a minimum

amount of background growth for

existing traffic of two percent per year.

Table 3.1 - Population and Housing Projections for the Crow Nation 2006-2025

CROW DOT calculated trip generation rates for

the future development discussed in Section

1.2. The trip generation analysis is presented

in Table 3.2.

Most of the development planned for the

Crow Reservation in the near future will

occur in or near Crow Agency and thus affect

the local road network. The ten homes

which have be constructed in 2006 will generate

approximately 96 trips per day, the

100 apartment-type homes will generate 663

trips per day, and the new school will generate

220 trips per day. The new gymnasium

is estimated to generate 229 trips per

day, and the college dormitories will generate

Crow Tribal Long Range Transportation Plan Page 20 of 33

up to 663 trips per day. The development

along Gas Cap Hill Road will generate

a total of 1,521 trips per day, with 1,356 trips

from the recreation center and 165 trips

from the new tribal complex. In total, an

additional 3,392 trips will be made within

the Crow Agency street network and the

main thoroughfares will require upgrades

to accommodate this additional traffic. It is

recommended that a series of traffic impact

analyses be performed on Crow Agency

roads as more of the new facilities are

opened in Crow Agency. These analyses

will identify specific areas which will require

road upgrades and also determine if

additional traffic control and safety measures,

such as traffic lights, are necessary.

The 200-room hotel will generate the most

daily traffic, with an estimated 1,784 trips

per day. In addition, the hotel will be located

adjacent to a casino, which will generate

approximately 810 trips per day, and an

18-hole golf course, which will generate 643

trips per day. This development will thus

generate a total of 3,237 daily trips which

will significantly impact the surrounding

road network. In particular, it is expected

that the majority of this traffic will travel to

the complex via I-90 and SH 212. At present

2006 7,681 41 541

2007 7,781 42 583

2008 7,882 42 625

2009 7,985 43 668

2010 8,089 43 711

2011 8,194 44 755

2012 8,301 44 799

2013 8,409 45 844

2014 8,518 45 889

2015 8,629 46 935

2016 8,741 47 982

2017 8,855 47 1,029

2018 8,970 48 1,077

2019 9,087 49 1,126

2020 9,205 49 1,175

2021 9,325 50 1,225

2022 9,446 50 1,275

2023 9,569 51 1,326

2024 9,693 52 1,378

Crow Tribal Long Range Transportation Plan Page 21 of 33

2025 9,819 52 1,430

_Or Tran ation Plan: Part Thre

SH 212 is a two-lane road which already

carries significant traffic to the Little Big

Horn Battle Field. It is recommended that

during construction of the hotel, casino and

golf course, SH 212 is widened to a fourlane

road between I-90 and Little Big Horn

Battle Field Road.

At present there are no specific plans regarding

the location for the 1,000 homes.

Although this number of homes will generate

approximately 9,570 daily trips, it is unknown

if these trips will come from one

large subdivision or will be scattered across

the reservation within the different communities.

Until more specific locations for

the homes are identified, it cannot be determined

how this traffic will affect the local

road network.

The development which is planned for the

vicinity of Garryowen includes a travel rest

area which is estimated to generate 32 trips

per day, a methane plant which will generate

approximately 338 trips per day, and oil

wells which will generate minimal traffic.

The 370 trips generated by the rest area and

methane plant will not have enough impact

on the road network to require road upgrades.

Traffic from I-90 can access the sites

using exit 514, the existing frontage road,

Shoulder Creek Road, and possibly Shoulder

Blade Creek Road. However, since these

roads were not included in the 2005 Inventory

Update conducted by CROW DOT, the condition

of these roads are unknown. Hence it is

recommended that as development commences

within this area, an engineer is retained

to determine if the existing road

conditions will adequately accommodate

the anticipated load of traffic. In particular,

it may be necessary to upgrade the road

base to accommodate heavy vehicles such

as trucks and busses.

The traffic generated by oil wells within the

vicinity of Tanner creek will be insufficient

to warrant upgrading the road network

within the area. It is anticipated that any

access roads will be developed in conjunction

with the wells, and no further upgrades

Crow Tribal Long Range Transportation Plan Page 22 of 33

are recommended.

The coal-bed methane plant which will be

constructed in the south east corner of the

reservation will generate only 338 trips per

day. Plans for the facility include constructing

an access road from Decker. The site is

too remote to have an impact on the existing

roadway network and it is unlikely that any

additional roads will be necessary.

Similarly, the coal mine which is planned

for the north east corner of the Crow Reservation

is too remote to have a major impact

on the area road network. It is anticipated

that plans for developing the mine include

constructing an access road from SH 384,

and that this road will be designed to accommodate

the anticipated 675 average

daily trips generated by the coal mine.

However, there is the potential that highspeed

traffic traveling along SH 384 could

pose safety risks for individuals turning in

and out of the mine. It is recommended that

a traffic impact analysis is performed at this

intersection to determine of it is necessary

to construct turning/deceleration lanes

The power plant, which will be located approximately

one mile north of Hardin, will

be accessible from I-90 and SH 47. It is anticipated

that SH 47 will adequately accommodate

the 270 average daily trips generated

by the power plant, and that no road

upgrades will be necessary.

CROW RESERVATION 3-5

Long Range Transportation Plan: Part Three

Table 3.2 — Projected Average Daily Traffic Volumes

* Trips generated if the 1,000 homes are constructed in phases over the next 10 years

AM Peak

Hr PM Peak Hr AM Peak

Hr PM Peak Hr

ITE

Code

Land Use Intensity Units Daily In Out In Out Daily In Out In Out

Residential

210 SFH 1,000* Dwellings 9.57 0.19 0.56 0.64 0.36 9,570* 190 560 640 360

210 SFH 10 Dwellings 9.57 0.19 0.56 0.64 0.36 96 2664

220 Apartment 100 Dwellings 6.63 0.16 0.40 0.41 0.26 663 16 40 41 26

Subtotal 759 (10,329*) Trips per Day

Institutional

521 K-12 School 40 1,000 sq.

feet 5.50 2.23 1.31 - - 220 89 52 - -

495 Gymnasium 10 1,000 sq.

feet 22.88 1.42 1.26 0.84 1.42 229 14 138 14

220 Dormitory 100 Dwellings 6.63 0.16 0.40 0.41 0.26 663 16 40 41 26

710 General Office

Crow Tribal Long Range Transportation Plan Page 23 of 33

Building 15 1,000 sq.

feet 11.01 1.37 0.18 0.25 1.24 165 213419

435

Multipurpose

Recreational

Facility

15 Acres 90.38 1.44 1.44 5.77 5.77 1,356 22 22 87 87

Subtotal 2,633 Trips per Day

Commercial

417

Regional

Park (Rest

Area)

5 Acres 6.44 - - 0.14 0.27 32--11

473 Casino 30 1,000 sq.

feet 27.00 - - 7.52 5.90 810 - - 226 177

310 Hotel 200 Occupied

Rooms 8.92 0.35 0.29 0.42 0.32 1,784 70 58 84 64

430 Golf Course 18 Holes 35.74 1.41 1.60 1.53 2.03 643 25 29 28 28

Subtotal 3,237 Trips per Day

Industrial

120

Heavy Industrial

(Methane

Plant)

50 Acres 6.75 3.21 3.21 2.11 2.11 338 160 160 106 106

120

Heavy Industrial

(Coal

Mine)

100 Acres 6.75 3.21 3.21 2.11 2.11 675 321 321 211 211

120

Heavy Industrial

(Power

Plant)

40 Acres 6.75 3.21 3.21 2.11 2.11 270 128 128 84 84

Subtotal 1,283 Trips per Day

Total Trips 7,912 (17,482*) Trips per Day

CROW RESERVATION 3-6

Long Range Transportation Plan: Part Three

3.1.5 Analysis of Demand and Capacity

To develop recommendations for a road

improvement program, future traffic volumes

must be analyzed against the capacity

of the existing road network.

CROW DOT performed 66 mechanical classification

counts that provided accurate and verifiable

data detailing traffic flow on Crow

TTP routes. Exhibit 1, Traffic Count Location

Map, identifies the location of the traffic

counts and also presents the projected traffic

volumes.

All of the traffic counts in Crow Agency recorded

high average daily rates of traffic. In

particular, the counter on BIA 1014 tallied

5,385 cars per day and the second highest

count was recorded on BIA 1011, with 3,979

cars per day. Although there is a high volume

Crow Tribal Long Range Transportation Plan Page 24 of 33

of traffic throughout Crow Agency, the

traffic flows well. The only recommended

upgrade within the short term (five years) is

to widen BIA 1006 to a three-lane road. This

will provide a center turning lane to eliminate

conflicts between vehicles waiting to

turn left and on-going traffic.

In the long term it will be necessary to upgrade

and widen BIA 1011 and BIA 1014.

The 20-year projected volume of traffic for

BIA 1011 is 5,910 cars per day, and BIA 1014

will experience an increase to 7,996 cars per

day. However, it is recommended that engineering

studies are performed on these

roads prior to any upgrades to determine

the specific measures that are necessary to

improve traffic flow.

3.2 Recommended Transportation

Improvements

The Long Range Transportation Plan for the

Crow Nation outlines existing conditions,

identifies transportation needs, and presents

an integrated set of recommended

roadway improvements for the tribes. The

plan also includes policies and related actions

necessary to implement the plan, and

identifies the government agencies and private

entities that have programmed funds

to carry out the improvements.

3.2.1 Proposed Road Sections to be

Added to the Crow TTP Inventory

Based on the tribe’s future development

plans, there are sections of non-existing,

proposed roads to be added to the Crow

TTP Inventory. The non-existing, proposed roads are:

PR#1 - RT#1110

Crow land base is characterized by significant “checker boarding” of Indiand and non-Indian land. There are no

existing roads to there tribal lands causing a decrease in prosperity value and revenue. Due to the lack of access

tribal members lose in excess of thirty million dollars. These lands allow for the use of major resources such as

grazing lands, future economic development and homesity alone with more cultural practices to allow

enrichment to the crow way of life. Roads used for fire control. Cultural practices such as fasting sights along

with medicinal plants uasage for tribal members. Road also used for hunting during season along with seasonal

recreation.

PR#2 — RT#1111

Crow land base is characterized by significant “checker boarding” of Indiand and non-Indian land. There are no

existing roads to there tribal lands causing a decrease in prosperity value and revenue. Due to the lack of access

tribal members lose in excess of thirty million dollars. These lands allow for the use of major resources such as

grazing lands, future economic development and homesity alone with more cultural practices to allow

enrichment to the crow way of life. Roads used for fire control. Cultural practices such as fasting sights along

Crow Tribal Long Range Transportation Plan Page 25 of 33

with medicinal plants uasage for tribal members. Road also used for hunting during season along with seasonal

recreation.

PR#3 — RT#1112

Crow land base is characterized by significant “checker boarding” of Indiand and non-Indian land. There are no

existing roads to there tribal lands causing a decrease in prosperity value and revenue. Due to the lack of access

tribal members lose in excess of thirty million dollars. These lands allow for the use of major resources such as

grazing lands, future economic development and homesity alone with more cultural practices to allow

enrichment to the crow way of life. Roads used for fire control. Cultural practices such as fasting sights along

with medicinal plants uasage for tribal members. Road also used for hunting during season along with seasonal

recreation.

PR#4 — RT#1113

Crow land base is characterized by significant “checker boarding” of Indiand and non-Indian land. There are no

existing roads to there tribal lands causing a decrease in prosperity value and revenue. Due to the lack of access

tribal members lose in excess of thirty million dollars. These lands allow for the use of major resources such as

grazing lands, future economic development and homesity alone with more cultural practices to allow

enrichment to the crow way of life. Roads used for fire control. Cultural practices such as fasting sights along

with medicinal plants uasage for tribal members. Road also used for hunting during season along with seasonal

recreation.

PR#5 — RT#1114

Crow land base is characterized by significant “checker boarding” of Indiand and non-Indian land. There are no

existing roads to there tribal lands causing a decrease in prosperity value and revenue. Due to the lack of access

tribal members lose in excess of thirty million dollars. These lands allow for the use of major resources such as

grazing lands, future economic development and homesity alone with more cultural practices to allow

enrichment to the crow way of life. Roads used for fire control. Cultural practices such as fasting sights along

with medicinal plants uasage for tribal members. Road also used for hunting during season along with seasonal

recreation.

PR#6 — RT#1115

Crow land base is characterized by significant “checker boarding” of Indiand and non-Indian land. There are no

existing roads to there tribal lands causing a decrease in prosperity value and revenue. Due to the lack of access

tribal members lose in excess of thirty million dollars. These lands allow for the use of major resources such as

grazing lands, future economic development and homesity alone with more cultural practices to allow

enrichment to the crow way of life. Roads used for fire control. Cultural practices such as fasting sights along

with medicinal plants uasage for tribal members. Road also used for hunting during season along with seasonal

recreation.

PR#7 — RT#1116

Crow land base is characterized by significant “checker boarding” of Indiand and non-Indian land. There are no

existing roads to there tribal lands causing a decrease in prosperity value and revenue. Due to the lack of access

tribal members lose in excess of thirty million dollars. These lands allow for the use of major resources such as

grazing lands, future economic development and homesites alone with more cultural practices to allow

enrichment to the crow way of life. Roads used for fire control. Cultural practices such as fasting sights along

with medicinal plants uasage for tribal members. Road also used for hunting during season along with seasonal

recreation.

PR#8 — RT#1117

Crow land base is characterized by significant “checker boarding” of Indiand and non-Indian land. There are no

existing roads to there tribal lands causing a decrease in prosperity value and revenue. Due to the lack of access

tribal members lose in excess of thirty million dollars. These lands allow for the use of major resources such as

grazing lands, future economic development and homesites alone with more cultural practices to allow

enrichment to the crow way of life. Roads used for fire control. Cultural practices such as fasting sights along

with medicinal plants uasage for tribal members. Road also used for hunting during season along with seasonal

recreation.

PR#9 — RT#1118

Crow land base is characterized by significant “checker boarding” of Indiand and non-Indian land. There are no

existing roads to there tribal lands causing a decrease in prosperity value and revenue. Due to the lack of access

Crow Tribal Long Range Transportation Plan Page 26 of 33

tribal members lose in excess of thirty million dollars. These lands allow for the use of major resources such as

grazing lands, future economic development and homesites alone with more cultural practices to allow

enrichment to the crow way of life. Roads used for fire control. Cultural practices such as fasting sights along

with medicinal plants uasage for tribal members. Road also used for hunting during season along with seasonal

recreation.

PR#10 — RT#1119

Crow land base is characterized by significant “checker boarding” of Indiand and non-Indian land. There are no

existing roads to there tribal lands causing a decrease in prosperity value and revenue. Due to the lack of access

tribal members lose in excess of thirty million dollars. These lands allow for the use of major resources such as

grazing lands, future economic development and homesites alone with more cultural practices to allow

enrichment to the crow way of life. Roads used for fire control. Cultural practices such as fasting sights along

with medicinal plants uasage for tribal members. Road also used for hunting during season along with seasonal

recreation.

PR#11 — RT#1126

Crow land base is characterized by significant “checker boarding” of Indiand and non-Indian land. There are no

existing roads to there tribal lands causing a decrease in prosperity value and revenue. Due to the lack of access

tribal members lose in excess of thirty million dollars. These lands allow for the use of major resources such as

grazing lands, future economic development and homesites alone with more cultural practices to allow

enrichment to the crow way of life. Roads used for fire control. Cultural practices such as fasting sights along

with medicinal plants uasage for tribal members. Road also used for hunting during season along with seasonal

recreation.

PR#12 — RT#1127

Crow land base is characterized by significant “checker boarding” of Indiand and non-Indian land. There are no

existing roads to there tribal lands causing a decrease in prosperity value and revenue. Due to the lack of access

tribal members lose in excess of thirty million dollars. These lands allow for the use of major resources such as

grazing lands, future economic development and homesites alone with more cultural practices to allow

enrichment to the crow way of life. Roads used for fire control. Cultural practices such as fasting sights along

with medicinal plants uasage for tribal members. Road also used for hunting during season along with seasonal

recreation.

PR#13 — RT#1128

Crow land base is characterized by significant “checker boarding” of Indiand and non-Indian land. There are no

existing roads to there tribal lands causing a decrease in prosperity value and revenue. Due to the lack of access

tribal members lose in excess of thirty million dollars. These lands allow for the use of major resources such as

grazing lands, future economic development and homesites alone with more cultural practices to allow

enrichment to the crow way of life. Roads used for fire control. Cultural practices such as fasting sights along

with medicinal plants uasage for tribal members. Road also used for hunting during season along with seasonal

recreation.

PR#14 — RT#1129

Crow land base is characterized by significant “checker boarding” of Indiand and non-Indian land. There are no

existing roads to there tribal lands causing a decrease in prosperity value and revenue. Due to the lack of access

tribal members lose in excess of thirty million dollars. These lands allow for the use of major resources such as

grazing lands, future economic development and homesites alone with more cultural practices to allow

enrichment to the crow way of life. Roads used for fire control. Cultural practices such as fasting sights along

with medicinal plants uasage for tribal members. Road also used for hunting during season along with seasonal

recreation.

PR#15 — RT#1130

Crow land base is characterized by significant “checker boarding” of Indiand and non-Indian land. There are no

existing roads to there tribal lands causing a decrease in prosperity value and revenue. Due to the lack of access

tribal members lose in excess of thirty million dollars. These lands allow for the use of major resources such as

grazing lands, future economic development and homesites alone with more cultural practices to allow

enrichment to the crow way of life. Roads used for fire control. Cultural practices such as fasting sights along

with medicinal plants uasage for tribal members. Road also used for hunting during season along with seasonal

recreation.

Crow Tribal Long Range Transportation Plan Page 27 of 33

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