February 12, 2009 --
Interior Secretary Ken Salazar testified before the Senate Indian Affairs Committee in Washington, D.C. this morning in an oversight hearing. Watch Video of the Hearing
When questioned by Montana Senator Jon Tester on the pending Indian water rights settlement acts that are awaiting Congressional approval, Secretary Salazar said that he was aware of the settlements, that they were a "high priority", and that he would likely seek to employ a special counsel to assist him in working with Congress on the settlements.
In response to a question from Senator Tester on the future role of tribal colleges in developing reservation economies, Secretary Salazar called tribal colleges very important in developing tribal workforces and that poor economic conditions is a root-cause of a multitude of societal problems on reservations.
The Crow Water Rights Settlement Act, S. 375, has been reintroduced in the 111th Congress.
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