Western South Dakota Water Study

Full Title:
Western South Dakota Water Supply Project Feasibility Study Act

Summary#

This act requires the Secretary of the Interior to carry out a feasibility study on a proposed project to supply municipal, rural, and industrial water from the Missouri River to the Western Dakota Regional Water System. The Secretary must work with the non-Federal project entity (Western Dakota Regional Water System, Inc.) and consult with appropriate Federal, State, Tribal, regional, and local authorities. After the study, the Secretary must produce a feasibility report that recommends whether the project should be authorized for construction and recommends the non-Federal share of construction costs.

The act also requires the Secretary to submit the feasibility report to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the House Committee on Natural Resources and to make the report and study documents publicly available. A cost-sharing agreement must be in place for the study, and the Secretary must follow reclamation feasibility standards.

What it means for you#

This act directs a federal study and report. It does not itself build the water project or fund construction. If you live in the area that the Western Dakota Regional Water System serves, the study could lead to a recommendation about building a project that would move Missouri River water to that system. The report will be sent to two congressional committees and made public.

Expenses#

  • The Federal share of the feasibility study costs may not exceed 50 percent.
  • If the Secretary recommends construction, the recommended non-Federal share of construction costs must be at least 25 percent of total construction costs and must be set after analyzing the non-Federal entity’s ability to pay for construction and for operations, maintenance, and replacement costs.
  • The act authorizes $10,000,000 to be appropriated to carry out the study.
  • The Secretary must enter a cost-sharing or financial assistance agreement with the non-Federal project entity to conduct the study.
  • The authority to carry out this section expires 10 years after enactment.

Proponents' View#

No publicly available information.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.