Crow Tribe to Celebrate Passage of Historic Water Rights Settlement Act

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On December 8, 2010, President Barack Obama signed into law the Claims Resolution Act of 2010, which provides over $4 billion to American Indian tribes for past royalties from oil, gas and timber extraction from their lands and settles four disputes over water rights in Arizona, New Mexico and Montana.  Title IV of this Act – the Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2010, one of the largest water rights settlements in U.S. history – resolves decades-old claims against the government regarding the water rights of the Crow Tribe and provides $460 million in federal benefits for a clean drinking water system, rehabilitation of the Tribe's dilapidated irrigation system and a clean energy development fund.  Donald R. Pongrace, leader of the American Indian Law and Policy practice at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP in Washington, led the representation of the Crow Tribe in this matter.  

On December 15, 2010, the Crow Tribe will celebrate this historic achievement at the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian.  Members of the media are invited to attend.  

What: Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act Celebration

When: December 15, 2010, 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m.

Where: National Museum of the American Indian, 4th Street and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC

RSVP: Katie Morgan, +1-202-887-4005, [email protected]

SOURCE Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP