SCR607 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION supporting congressional authorization for, and federal participation in, major rural water supply projects identified by the South Dakota Association of Rural Water Systems. (Enrolled)

26.717.12 101st Legislative Session SCR607

2026 South Dakota Legislature

ENROLLED

An Act

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION supporting congressional authorization for, and federal participation in, major rural water supply projects identified by the South Dakota Association of Rural Water Systems.

WHEREAS, safe, reliable, and sustainable drinking water supplies are essential to public health, economic development, agricultural productivity, and quality of life for the citizens of South Dakota; and

WHEREAS, many regions of South Dakota face long-term water supply challenges that cannot be addressed solely through local or municipal systems and instead require large-scale, regional solutions; and

WHEREAS, the South Dakota Association of Rural Water Systems represents rural water systems, municipalities, and regional water suppliers across this state, and has a long history of working collaboratively with state and federal partners to advance responsible water development; and

WHEREAS, in 2024 and 2025, the membership of the South Dakota Association of Rural Water Systems formally adopted resolutions supporting the continued development, authorization, and funding of several major regional water supply initiatives that address documented water quantity and quality needs across multiple regions of this state; and

WHEREAS, South Dakota Association of Rural Water Systems projects include the Dakota Mainstem Regional Water System, which serves central and southern portions of eastern South Dakota; the Western Dakota Regional Water System, which is addressing long-term water deficits in western South Dakota; the Lewis and Clark Regional Water System, which includes the pursuit of congressional authorization for feasibility work related to a second expansion to meet future demand; and the Water Investment in Northern South Dakota, which supports municipal, rural, and industrial water needs in the northern region of eastern South Dakota; and

WHEREAS, large-scale water supply projects typically require congressional authorization and federal participation through the United States Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation and other federal agencies before construction and full implementation can proceed; and

WHEREAS, congressional authorization is a critical prerequisite to securing federal cost-share participation, advancing feasibility studies, and ensuring that projects can move forward in a timely and cost-effective manner; and

WHEREAS, demonstrated alignment among local water providers, state leadership through the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and South Dakota's congressional delegation strengthens the state's position in competing for federal authorization and appropriations;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Senate of the One Hundred First Legislature of the State of South Dakota, the House of Representatives concurring therein, that long-term, regional water supply planning is critical for South Dakota's future, particularly the major rural and regional water supply projects identified in the resolutions adopted by the South Dakota Association of Rural Water Systems; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that continued coordination is encouraged among local water systems, the South Dakota Association of Rural Water Systems, the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and federal partners, to ensure these projects are developed in a fiscally responsible manner that serves the long-term interests of the state and its citizens; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the Governor of South Dakota, the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the South Dakota congressional delegation, the United States Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation, and the South Dakota Association of Rural Water Systems.