FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:  Russ Levsen, 202-226-4449

HOUSE PASSES ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS THAT PROVIDES SIGNIFICANT FUNDING FOR SOUTH DAKOTA WATER PROJECTS

Lewis & Clark, Mid Dakota, Mni Wiconi, Other Critical Water Projects Receive More than $64 million

June 25, 2004, Washington, DC – The U.S. House of Representatives today approved more than $64 million for South Dakota water projects as part of the Energy and Water Development Appropriations for FY 2005.  The funding included $17.5 million for the Lewis & Clark Rural Water project; $18.2 million for Mni Wiconi; and $17 million for Mid Dakota, which will complete construction of that system.

Rep. Stephanie Herseth, who voted in favor of the bill, said, “Today’s bill is another important step in ensuring the economic stability and viability of South Dakota through a clean and abundant water supply.”

Herseth believes full funding of these water projects is crucial to continued economic development and public health across South Dakota.  Herseth said that not all of South Dakota’s requests were funded at their requested level, and pledged to continue to work to increase funding levels as the bill moves through the Congress. 

During her campaign and since her first day in office, Herseth said that water development funding is a top priority of her legislative agenda. Earlier this year, Herseth invited senior member of the House Appropriations Committee Rep. Steny Hoyer to South Dakota to learn about the importance of these projects.  Since arriving in Washington, Herseth has made both formal and informal requests for the projects to Appropriations Chairman David Hobson and Ranking Member Peter Visclosky.

The bill also contains important provisions for Army Corps of Engineers Projects, including:

• $6 million for flood control on the Big Sioux River;
• $1 million for the South Dakota Wildlife Habitat Mitigation bill; and
• $4 million to purchase homes in Pierre that have been flooded by the operation of the Oahe Dam.

#  #  #