Washington, DC —
Senator John Thune announced today that important funding he requested for South Dakota has been included in the 2007 Energy and Water Appropriations bill. The bill, which was reported out by the Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee includes $10.5 million for South Dakota that was not included in the House version of the bill.
"This is promising news for our projects across South Dakota," said Thune. "I am glad to see that our work has paid off and the Subcommittee recognized the importance of these projects. I will continue to work to make sure this funding is included in the final 2007 Energy and Appropriations bill."
The projects included in the Senate version include:
The Subcommittee bill also includes $55 million for bank stabilization and wildlife recovery and mitigation activities along the Missouri River. Over the past year, Senator Thune has worked to ensure that this funding is available to upper basin states such as South Dakota, North Dakota, and Montana. A portion of this funding will be used for the protection of endangered species such as terns, plovers, and pallid sturgeon.
In addition, the Subcommittee included $48.414 million in funding for the following water projects:
"This is important funding for continuing to provide safe, clean drinking water to the people of South Dakota. We must continue to work to make this funding a reality."
The Senate Appropriations Committee is slated to consider the Energy and Water bill on Thursday, June 29. The House of Representatives passed its corresponding bill on May 24.
"This is promising news for our projects across South Dakota," said Thune. "I am glad to see that our work has paid off and the Subcommittee recognized the importance of these projects. I will continue to work to make sure this funding is included in the final 2007 Energy and Appropriations bill."
The projects included in the Senate version include:
- $7.5 million to assist the State of South Dakota, the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, and the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe in managing recreational areas, wildlife restoration plans and cultural and historic sites as a result of the thousands of acres of land in South Dakota that were lost due to the construction of the reservoirs along the Missouri River ($5 million for construction and $2.5 million for operation and management);
- $2 million for the Big Sioux flood control project in Sioux Falls;
- $450,000 for the Watertown Flood Control plan; and
- $602,000 for a feasibility study on the James River regarding bank stabilization and channel restoration activities.
The Subcommittee bill also includes $55 million for bank stabilization and wildlife recovery and mitigation activities along the Missouri River. Over the past year, Senator Thune has worked to ensure that this funding is available to upper basin states such as South Dakota, North Dakota, and Montana. A portion of this funding will be used for the protection of endangered species such as terns, plovers, and pallid sturgeon.
In addition, the Subcommittee included $48.414 million in funding for the following water projects:
- $23.5 million for Lewis and Clark;
- $23.914 million for Mni Wiconi; and
- $1 million for Perkins County.
"This is important funding for continuing to provide safe, clean drinking water to the people of South Dakota. We must continue to work to make this funding a reality."
The Senate Appropriations Committee is slated to consider the Energy and Water bill on Thursday, June 29. The House of Representatives passed its corresponding bill on May 24.