Sponsor says Missouri River study needed to secure Western South Dakota water supply

Rep. Dusty Johnson and Kristin Conzett, Executive Director of the Western Dakota Regional Water System, told the House subcommittee that HR 7288 would fund a Bureau of Reclamation feasibility study to evaluate delivering Missouri River water to Western South Dakota and is not an authorization for construction.

Conzett said the region’s primary groundwater sources (the Madison and the Mendoza aquifers) are finite and increasingly stressed, and she cited a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) analysis documenting increased withdrawals — "reaching about 50,000 acre‑feet annually" — while warning those supplies are not sufficient for long‑term demand. She described the coalition behind the proposal (49 members, 30 public water systems) and said the state has invested more than $12,000,000 in project development and planning.

Why it matters: Witnesses emphasized regional economic and national‑security implications. Johnson pointed to Ellsworth Air Force Base and the basing of the B‑21 bomber as a reason for reliable, long‑term water access for mission readiness, and Conzett said the feasibility study would examine need, engineering, costs, federal interest, and tribal coordination before any construction decisions.

Tribal and long‑range considerations: Members asked about tribal engagement; Conzett said the feasibility study would enable "nation‑to‑nation" consultation and noted two tribal board seats are designated but not currently filled. The study team cited tree‑ring USGS work showing recurring drought cycles and said Western South Dakota is in a window where long‑term drought risk elevates urgency.

Next steps: The subcommittee requested written follow‑ups and did not take formal action on HR 7288 during the hearing.