Executive Director Message

Cheryl Chapman reports on progress toward authorization for a Federal Feasibility Study.

Thank you for your attendance at our 4th Annual Meeting in September. Attendees had an opportunity to hear about current congressional events, the growth of Ellsworth Air Force Base’s mission, new research on regional water resources, and progress of Western Dakota Regional Water System.

Senator Thune and Representative Johnson, with support from Senator Rounds, have introduced stand-alone legislation, authorizing the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to conduct a federal feasibility study. This legislation provides a second route toward authorization, complementing the effort to reauthorize the Rural Water Supply Act. Thanks to our unwavering Congressional support, we are optimistic to receive authorization.

A Bureau of Reclamation feasibility study builds on the solid foundation of feasibility studies underway, thanks to funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), State Water Resources Management System (SWRMS), local support and memberships. Our engineering team’s work in canvassing systems, researching environmental resources, and analyzing hydraulic demands, provides the information for the federal feasibility process, saving money and years in moving our project forward.