After Push from Lawmakers Led by Klobuchar and Noem, Administration Announces New Funding for Lewis and Clark Water System

Press Release

After a push from lawmakers led by U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Representative Kristi Noem (R-SD), the Administration announced new funding for the Lewis and Clark Water System. The project is set to receive an extra $6.6 million from the Bureau of Reclamation in addition to the $2.4 million included in the FY2015 Appropriations bill, bringing total funding to $9 million for FY 2015. In a letter to the Bureau of Reclamation commissioner last month, the lawmakers pressed for strong funding to advance construction on the Lewis and Clark project. When completed, the project will cover a service territory of more than 5,000 square miles and provide drinking water to 300,000 residents and businesses in southwest Minnesota, northwest Iowa and southeast South Dakota. The letter was led by Klobuchar and Noem and co-signed by Senators John Thune (R-SD), Al Franken (D-MN), Charles Grassley (R-IA), and Mike Rounds (R-SD) as well as Representatives Collin Peterson (D-MN), Tim Walz (D-MN) and Steve King (R-IA).

"Rural water projects generate both short-term and long-term economic activity and expand economic development opportunities. The member communities awaiting connection to LCRWS have shown the ability to attract economic development if sufficient water supply is made available through the project," the lawmakers wrote in their letter last month. "We look forward to working with you until the Lewis and Clark project is complete and the federal government has fulfilled its commitment."

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