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Herseth, King pledge support for water project
February 18, 2008 | Bret Hayworth, Sioux City Journal

Even though President Bush has provided a budget with no funding in fiscal year 2009, Siouxland congresspersons vowed to fight for funding for the Lewis & Clark Regional Water System.

South Dakota Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, Iowa Congressman Steve King and Minnesota Congressman Tim Walz have issued a joint statement of support for the project that would serve the three states. The Lewis & Clark Regional Water System will deliver safe drinking water from aquifers near Vermillion, S.D., to roughly 300,000 people in a 5,000 square mile area.

The three said they were surprised by the zero funding proposal.

"We disagree with that choice, and once again we will work together in Congress, as Democrats and Republicans, to provide this vital project with the funding it needs," they summarized.

Thus far, 17 of the 20 local municipalities participating in the project have paid $106 million toward the Lewis and Clark project. Congress has funded another $111 million to date. Lewis & Clark Rural Water executive director Troy Larson has said $35 million per year is necessary to keep the project moving.

Previously, the two U.S. senators from South Dakota, Tim Johnson and John Thune, said the zero budget proposal was shocking, and they would seek to obtain funding.

Work on the project, which began in 2003, continues.

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