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Aberdeen council approves application seeking 9,500 acre‑feet of future water use for Winds project
Summary
The City of Aberdeen voted to submit a future water‑use application that would secure up to 9,500 acre‑feet of water tied to the Winds partner agreement; staff said the allocation is larger than the 4,000,000 gallons expected from Winds by 2030 and would not require legislative approval unless it exceeds 10,000 acre‑feet.
The City of Aberdeen on Tuesday approved submitting a future water‑use application that would reserve up to 9,500 acre‑feet of water tied to the Winds project partnership.
City Manager Robin said staff is ready to file the application and that the 9,500 acre‑feet request secures capacity without triggering a more formal legislative review. Council members were told the 9,500 figure is “roughly 2½ times” the roughly 4,000,000 gallons the city expects to receive from Winds by 2030, and that a larger, multi‑year allocation would require additional approvals.
Why it matters: securing a future water‑use permit is a step toward guaranteeing supply for planned growth and for the city’s portion of the Winds project. City staff said the application would protect the city’s interest while preserving the ability to seek additional water later if needed.
Council discussion and next steps City staff and council members said the application is a preliminary “future use” permit: it reserves the right to use water later but does not itself put water to beneficial use. The council heard that once water is actually put to use, separate filings and evidence of need and use will be required.
Council members said the city has worked with external counsel and water experts. The council packet included a copy of the Winds memorandum of understanding (MOU) and staff recommended approval. The council also noted the filing requires an $855 fee to accompany the application.
City staff noted that the Winds MOU requires each sponsoring party (the Winds partners, the city and others listed in the MOU) to secure their own water rights for the portion allocated to them. Council members were told the city anticipates an administrative process and possible hearing through the state water authority once the application is filed.
What the vote does (and does not) do The council approved filing the application; that action does not immediately change how much water the city is currently using. Staff said the 9,500 acre‑feet request is intended to secure an allocation now without exceeding the 10,000‑acre‑foot threshold that would require a legislative approval step. Officials said additional allocations or actual use would trigger further permitting and evidence of need.
Timing and outside help Council members said Aberdeen has worked with a Rapid City law firm (Jackson Schultz) and water specialist John Frederickson, who reviewed the materials with the lead engineer for the state water agency. Staff said the formal application would be delivered to the state water office the next business day or shortly thereafter, and that the council should expect a multi‑month administrative process with notice and potential hearings.
The council approved the filing by voice vote.
