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For Immediate Release Contact: Betsy Hart
August 20, 2008 (202) 226-8555

HERSETH SANDLIN APPLAUDS MNI WICONI MILESTONE

Wanblee, SD, August 20, 2008- Today, an event was held in Wanblee to celebrate the milestone of clean, reliable drinking water from the Mni Wiconi water pipeline reaching Pine Ridge for the first time. Rep. Herseth Sandlin - who helped secure $37.571 million for the project in 2007 - released the following statement, which was read at the ceremony this morning:

The event recognizes the completion of the core Mni Wiconi water transmission pipeline from the Fort Pierre water treatment plant to the community of Wanblee on the Pine Ridge Reservation. This is an important point in the project’s construction where treated Missouri River water is transmitted through the main pipeline.”

"In 1988, Congress authorized the Mni Wiconi Rural Water Supply Project—an act sponsored by Senator Tim Johnson, then in the House of Representatives, and Senator Tom Daschle. In the original legislation, Congress recognized that the United States government has a trust responsibility to ensure that adequate and safe water supplies are available to meet the environmental, water supply, and public health needs of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Congress further recognized that the lack of clean, safe, and reliable water supplies to Pine Ridge restrict efforts to promote economic development on the reservation. Ultimately, it was determined that a water delivery system bringing water from the Missouri to Pine Ridge was the best option for providing safe and adequate supplies of water to several west river communities.

"I recognize the critical importance of the Mni Wiconi project. Since my election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2004, I have worked to ensure that the Bureau of Reclamation receives the funds it needs to complete the Mni Wiconi project. When planning for this project began more than two decades ago, Mni Wiconi was expected to take about 10 years to complete. Today, as we celebrate Missouri River water reaching the reservation, we are nearing the final stages of construction. I applaud your continued dedication, and I will continue to do my part to secure the appropriations needed to complete the Mni Wiconi project.

"In closing, I want to congratulate the officials and the communities that made today’s celebration possible, including: the Oglala Sioux Tribe, the Oglala Rural Water Supply System, the OST Water Conservation and Maintenance Employees, the Bureau of Reclamation, the State of South Dakota, West River-Lyman-Jones Water System, and countless other individuals and community leaders. Thank you for your vision and your action to improve the quality and increase the quantity of water to the Pine Ridge reservation."

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Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin serves South Dakota in the U.S. House of Representatives. She is a member of the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of moderate Democrats committed to fiscal discipline and strong national security, and is co-chair of the Rural Working Group, which is dedicated to raising the profile of issues important to rural America. She also serves on three committees vital to South Dakota’s interests: Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs and Natural Resources. In the 110th Congress, Rep. Herseth Sandlin was one of only 15 members appointed to serve on the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming.