$10 Million Approved for Seeley Lake Wastewater Treatment Plant

Federal funding to address rural infrastructure needs in Western Montana

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Seeley Lake's wastewater system is set to receive a major $10 million federal investment following the passage of a sweeping federal appropriations bill. Congressman Ryan Zinke announced the funding, which is part of the Fiscal Year 2026 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations Bill signed into law by President Donald Trump.

Why it matters

The funding for the Seeley Lake Wastewater Treatment Plant is part of a broader $27 million investment in bridges, roads, and water infrastructure projects across six Western Montana counties. This reflects a push by lawmakers to prioritize critical infrastructure needs in rural areas that have historically been overlooked.

The details

The $10 million in funding for the Seeley Lake project was submitted as part of Congressman Zinke's Community Project Funding Requests and reflects input from local leaders and county commissioners. The broader appropriations bill passed the U.S. Senate by a 71-29 vote and the House by a narrow 217-214 margin, ending a partial government shutdown.

  • The Fiscal Year 2026 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations Bill was signed into law by President Donald Trump on February 3, 2026.
  • The U.S. Senate passed the bill on January 30, 2026 by a 71-29 vote.
  • The U.S. House passed the bill on February 3, 2026 by a 217-214 margin.

The players

Ryan Zinke

A U.S. Congressman who serves on the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Subcommittee and announced the $10 million in funding for the Seeley Lake Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Donald Trump

The President of the United States who signed the Fiscal Year 2026 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations Bill into law.

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What they’re saying

“For years, rural Montana has sent its tax dollars to Washington and watched our critical infrastructure projects get pushed aside. This funding corrects that. It puts money back into communities that depend on one bridge, one road, or one water treatment plant to function.”

— Ryan Zinke, U.S. Congressman (Press Release)

What’s next

With the funding now secured, local officials in Seeley Lake will work to begin the process of upgrading and modernizing the community's wastewater treatment plant.

The takeaway

This federal investment in Seeley Lake's wastewater infrastructure is a significant win for rural Montana, demonstrating a renewed commitment by lawmakers to address the unique infrastructure challenges facing small communities across the state.