Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 113 Part 3.djvu/264

 113 STAT. 1782 PUBLIC LAW 106-163—DEC. 9, 1999 (f) EXECUTION OF COMPACT.— The execution of the Compact by the Secretary as provided for in this Act shall not constitute a major Federal action under the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). The Secretary is directed to carry out all necessary environmental compliance required by Federal law in implementing the Compact. (g) CONGRESSIONAL INTENT. —Nothing in this Act shall be construed to prohibit the Tribe from seeking additional authorization or appropriation of funds for tribal programs or purposes. (h) ACT NOT PRECEDENTIAL. —Nothing in this Act shall be construed or interpreted as a precedent for the litigation of reserved water rights or the interpretation or administration of future water settlement Acts. TITLE I—CHIPPEWA CREE TRIBE OF THE ROCKY BOY'S RESERVATION IN- DIAN RESERVED WATER RIGHTS SET- TLEMENT SEC. 101. RATIFICATION OF COMPACT AND ENTRY OF DECREE. (a) WATER RIGHTS COMPACT APPROVED.— Except as modified by this Act, and to the extent the Compact does not conflict with this Act— (1) the Compact, entered into by the Chippewa Cree Tribe of the Rocky Boy's Reservation and the State of Montana on April 14, 1997, is hereby approved, ratified, and confirmed; and (2) the Secretary shall— (A) execute and implement the Compact together with any amendments agreed to by the parties or necessary to bring the Compact into conformity with this Act; and (B) take such other actions as are necessary to implement the Compact. (b) APPROVAL OF DECREE. — Deadline. (1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the United States, the Tribe, or the State of Montana shall petition the Montana Water Court, individually or jointly, to enter and approve the decree agreed to by the United States, the Tribe, and the State of Montana attached as Appendix 1 to the Compact, or any amended version thereof agreed to by the United States, the Tribe, and the State of Montana. (2) RESORT TO THE FEDERAL DISTRICT COURT. — Under the circumstances set forth in Article VII.B.4 of the Compact, 1 or more parties may file an appropriate motion (as provided in that article) in the United States district court of appropriate jurisdiction. (3) EFFECT OF FAILURE OF APPROVAL TO BECOME FINAL. — In the event the approval by the appropriate court, including any direct appeal, does not become final within 3 years after the filing of the decree, or the decree is approved but is subsequently set aside by the appropriate court—

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