FEDERAL FUNDING INCREASE APPROVED for FY18

Lewis & Clark RWS officials received great news on May 7 that its total federal funding for FY18 is $14.875M, which is a significant increase over the $9.15M approved in FY17. The administration originally proposed $3.65M for Lewis & Clark in FY18. The tristate delegation worked hard during the appropriations process to secure an additional $66.5M for the Bureau of Reclamation’s Rural Water Program, which was included in the FY18 Budget signed by President Trump on March 23. Because of the earmark ban, which unfortunately includes fully vetted authorized projects like Lewis & Clark, Reclamation then had 45 days to decide how to allocate the additional funding among five authorized rural water projects. Reclamation allocated $11.225M to Lewis & Clark. When combined with the $3.65M proposed by the administration, it brings total funding for Lewis & Clark to $14.875M. The funds will be used to award a contract in August for the segment of pipeline between Beresford, SD and the Big Sioux River. Future projects will eventually connect the line to Sioux Center, IA. “A big thank you to the Bureau of Reclamation and our tristate congressional delegation for their strong support! It is greatly appreciated,” said Executive Director Troy Larson.