Western Dakota Regional Water officials outline $2 billion-scale Missouri River plan and next federal feasibility step

Kristen Conzett (speaker 9), presenting for Western Dakota Regional Water, told the council the regional effort to secure Missouri River water for western South Dakota is "in the starting blocks" for federal feasibility work. She described the project as a roughly $2,000,000,000 undertaking in need of congressional authorization and a Bureau of Reclamation feasibility study to qualify for federal investment.

Conzett cited work completed to date: pooling of member water rights, a School of Mines study, an expanded USGS analysis and membership growth to 43 active members. She said members have provided funding and that ARPA provided $8,000,000 in 2022; the group has pursued legislative and technical steps to reach thresholds required for the next phase. Conzett warned that drought conditions have worsened in Pennington County and Mead County and that population and Ellsworth AFB-related growth increase future water demand.

Bruce Martin, the city's public works director, introduced Conzett and noted the city has budgeted membership support; Connett and staff answered council questions about aquifers, permit and planning timelines and funding sources. Conzett emphasized that the Bureau of Reclamation feasibility study (the formal federal planning step) and congressional authorization are necessary before federal construction funds could be considered.