Lt Governor's St. MaryRehabilitation Working Group

Informational Website

Welcome to the St. Mary Rehabilitation Working Group's Web Site.

On November 18, 2003, Lt. Governor Karl Ohs convened a meeting in Havre, Montana, to raise awareness of the urgent need to rehabilitate the aging St. Mary Facilities of the Milk River Project. The meeting set in motion a process through which representatives from the State of Montana, Federal government, Tribal governments, and Milk River basin water users could work together to seek congressional authorization and funding to rehabilitate and modernize the system. The St. Mary Rehabilitation Working Group was formed to provide input to the Governor's office on an appropriate strategy for rehabilitating the diversion system.

The Working Group is made up of 16 volunteer members representing irrigation, Blackfeet Tribe, and Ft. Belknap Indian Community, municipalities, recreation/ fisheries, economic development, and county government. Lt. Governor John Bohlinger and Mr. Randy Reed of Chinook Montana serve as Co-chairs. The Working Group meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month in various Hi-line communities. All meetings are open to the public.

This web site serves as the main public distribution point for information related to the St. Mary Rehabilitation Project. On this site you will find announcements of upcoming Working Group meetings as well as notes from previous meetings. Additional background information can be found by clicking on "Lifeline of the Hi-Line". The Working Group's operational guidelines are spelled out in the group's Process Agreement. You will also find links to maps, photographs, and newspaper articles about the project.

Next meeting of the St. Mary Rehabilitation Working Group:

St. Mary Rehabilitation Working Group to Meet Wednesday April 23

Senate Bill S. 3563 - St. Mary Diversion and Conveyance Works and Milk River Project Act of 2006"

Process Agreement

Process Agreement - Final (PDF)

Photographs

Historical Photos (PDF)
Major Infrastructure & Environmental Issues (PDF)
Recent Misc. Photos (PDF)

Basin Maps

St. Mary Diversion Facilities - Topographic (PDF)
St. Mary Diversion Facilities - Color Shaded Relief (PDF)
St. Mary Diversion Facilities - Black/White Shaded Relief (JPG)
Milk River Basin Map (PDF)

Contact Your Representatives in Washington

Tips for Writing Your Elected Representatives
General Outline of an Effective Letter
Sample Letters

News Releases

Newspaper Articles

Billings Gazette Articles
Great Falls Tribune Articles
Havre Daily News Articles
The Chinook Journal News and Opinion Articles
Helena Independent Record Articles
Glasgow Courier Articles
Montana Contractors Association Newsletter Article