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Western Dakota Regional Water officials press county to support federal feasibility study for Missouri River project
Summary
Western Dakota delegation said the project has secured more members and is pressing Congress for a Bureau of Reclamation feasibility study; commissioners were urged to continue county support as the group seeks federal funding for next steps.
Kristen Consett of the Western Dakota Regional Water System updated the board on the multi‑county water project seeking a Bureau of Reclamation feasibility study. Consett said the regional group has added three members since the last briefing and that delegations to Washington, D.C., have sought line‑item appropriations and legislative action to resurrect or use rural water authorities.
Consett said the feasibility study — the federal technical and environmental analysis the Bureau of Reclamation conducts to determine the practicability and costs of large water projects — is the next critical step. The speaker told the commission the project team is pursuing parallel strategies in Congress: advising Sen. Thune of the need for a direct feasibility appropriation and seeking reauthorization of older rural water authorities through Rep. Rounds’ offices.
Consett also described contingency planning should federal feasibility not proceed as proposed: the group is preparing a “Plan B” to increase interconnection among existing Black Hills water systems to improve regional resiliency in drought scenarios. She urged the county to continue the political support and local participation needed to show federal agencies that the project is regionally backed and ready for technical study.
Ending: Commissioners asked for budget and membership documents; Consett said she will provide the county auditor/commission office with up‑to‑date financials and membership lists for audit and follow‑up.
