Two Missouri River pipeline projects move closer to reality

(UI) — A U.S. Senate committee has advanced legislation that would provide $20 million for feasibility studies of two proposed regional drinking water pipeline systems drawing from the Missouri River, according to South Dakota Searchlight.

The bills, sponsored by Sens. John Thune and Mike Rounds of South Dakota, would allocate $10 million each for Bureau of Reclamation studies evaluating the Western Dakota Regional Water System and the Dakota Mainstem Regional Water System. The measures cleared the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources without opposition and now move to the full Senate for consideration.

If ultimately developed, the Western Dakota Regional Water System would transport Missouri River water to communities across western South Dakota that currently rely heavily on groundwater aquifers. The Dakota Mainstem Regional Water System is proposed to serve portions of eastern South Dakota, western Minnesota and northern Iowa.

The legislation would fund only the feasibility and planning phase of the projects and does not authorize pipeline construction. According to South Dakota Searchlight, the studies would help determine project viability, costs and long-term water supply benefits before any future construction decisions are considered.

Companion versions of the bills have also been introduced in the U.S. House by Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-S.D. As reported by South Dakota Searchlight, those measures have already received hearings before the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries and are awaiting further action.

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