A legislative effort to build a pipeline from the Missouri River to the Black Hills advanced out of committee.
It’s the second time this proposal has been brought to the Capitol.
The bill, SJR501, was brought last session in essentially the same format by Rapid City Republican Senator Helene Duhamel. That bill would provide necessary legislative approval for a permitting application for those seeking to build the pipeline.
Duhamel has prioritized secure drinking water for the Black Hills for some time now.
“We’re hoping since the Legislature last year overwhelmingly supported a future use water permit for Lewis and Clark (Regional Water System), why in the world would they say no to the western part of the state that is more dry and arid, and frankly in need of water right now,” Duhamel asks.
Cheryl Chapman is the executive director of Western Dakota Regional Water. She said there simply isn’t enough water to cover the fast-growing region.
“When they took a look at extended drought conditions and compared that to the demand from the early 1900s through 2020, they learned that in 2020 when the report was received that had we been in a severe drought, there would have been water shortages,” Chapman said.
Cory Chorne is the program manager for Advanced Engineering and Environmental Services. As the lead engineer of this project, he said the proposal would have a minimal effect on the Missouri River itself.
“If this project ever developed, based on today’s numbers and the average-day demand, basically would be a half ounce out of a gallon of water," Chorne said. "So almost an immeasurable amount we would be taking out of the Missouri River.”
The project is anticipated to be funded on the back of federal, state and local dollars. It was unanimously approved by the Senate Ag and Natural Resources Committee Tuesday and next heads to the Senate floor.