Tea, South Dakota — The water system bringing Missouri River aquifer water to Sheldon, Sibley, Hull, Sioux Center, and a number of other communities is announcing some funding.
Lewis & Clark Regional Water System Executive Director Troy Larson tells us the FY23 Appropriations Bill that was signed into law on December 29, 2022 by President Biden includes $18.6 million for the ongoing construction of the water system. This total includes the funding proposed by the Administration, as well as a congressionally-directed spending request made by Senators Amy Klobuchar, Mike Rounds, and Tina Smith.
Larson says the funding is keeping pace with the amount received last year.
Larson tells us in a way, the funding is already earmarked for bills.
He tells us this really doesn’t change the expected timeline.
Larson tells us they now see the light at the end of the tunnel. It’s been a long time coming. The ideas started flowing over 30 years ago in the 1980s. Lewis & Clark was incorporated in 1990 and authorized by Congress in 2000.
