A view of the Missouri River from the bluffs above Chamberlain looking toward Oacoma on Sept. 20, 2024. (Seth Tupper/South Dakota Searchlight)
The three members of Congress representing South Dakota introduced House and Senate bills Wednesday to require a federal feasibility study for a potential water pipeline from the Missouri River to the Black Hills.
The legislation would authorize $10 million in federal funding to cover up to 50% of the study’s cost. The nonprofit organization leading the pipeline effort aims to cover the rest of the cost with federal and state funding it’s already received, plus locally raised funds.
Senator John Thune introduced the Senate bill , with Sen. Mike Rounds as a co-sponsor. Representative Dusty Johnson introduced the House version . All three are Republicans.
“The Western Dakota Regional Water System is a promising proposal to address the rapidly growing water needs of the Black Hills region,” said Thune in a joint news release. “This legislation would advance the project by authorizing a Bureau of Reclamation study in order to determine the feasibility of the project, and I’m proud to join Rep. Johnson and Sen. Rounds in this critical effort.”