US Senate committee advances bill supporting study of Missouri River pipeline system expansion

Another piece of federal legislation seeking funding to study a Missouri River water pipeline project in South Dakota has passed a U.S. Senate committee.

The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources approved the Lewis & Clark Regional Water System Expansion Feasibility Study Act last week, sending it to the full Senate. Majority Leader John Thune sponsors the bill, and Sen. Mike Rounds is a cosponsor. Both are Republicans from South Dakota.

They announced the bill’s committee approval in a press release.

US Senate committee endorses $20 million for Missouri River drinking water pipeline studies

“Continued access to clean and reliable water is critical to economic development and quality of life in our state,” Rounds said.

The bill would provide $10 million for the Department of the Interior to study the feasibility of expanding the capacity and reach of the Lewis & Clark Rural Water System. The existing system in southeast South Dakota, northwest Iowa and southwest Minnesota delivers water to 20 member cities and rural water systems.

Last month, bills from Thune and Rounds cleared a Senate committee that would provide $10 million apiece to support feasibility studies for the Western Dakota Regional Water System and Dakota Mainstem Regional Water System. The Western Dakota Regional Water System aims to build a pipeline from the Missouri River to supply communities across the western portion of the state, whose drinking water needs are currently served by aquifers. The Dakota Mainstem Regional Water System would serve areas in eastern South Dakota, western Minnesota and northern Iowa.

House versions of the three bills from U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-South Dakota, are awaiting action by committees in that chamber.