Western South Dakota Water Supply Project Feasibility Study Act
Introduced in HouseJan 30, 2026

Western South Dakota Water Supply Project Feasibility Study Act

17 sections · 1 min read

Section 1. Short title

This Act may be cited as the Western South Dakota Water Supply Project Feasibility Study Act.

Section 2. Definitions

In this Act:

(1) Non-Federal project entity

The term non-Federal project entity means the Western Dakota Regional Water System, Inc., a nonprofit corporation.

(2) Proposed rural water supply project

The term proposed rural water supply project means the proposed project to supply municipal, rural, and industrial water from the Missouri River to the Western Dakota Regional Water System.

(3) Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior.

(1) In general

The Secretary, in coordination with the non-Federal project entity, shall carry out a study to determine the feasibility of the proposed rural water supply project.

(2) Feasibility report

After completion of the feasibility study for the proposed rural water supply project under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall—

(A) develop a feasibility report that includes a recommendation of the Secretary on—

(i) whether the proposed rural water supply project should be authorized for construction; and

(ii) the appropriate non-Federal share of construction costs, which shall be—

(B) submit the report under subparagraph (A) to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives; and

(C) make the report under subparagraph (A) publicly available, along with associated feasibility study documents.

(3) Consultation and cooperation

In addition to the non-Federal project entity, the Secretary shall consult and cooperate with appropriate Federal, State, Tribal, regional, and local authorities during the conduct of the feasibility study and development of the feasibility report under this subsection.

(b) Cost-Sharing agreement for feasibility study costs

The Secretary shall enter into a cost-sharing agreement (or an appropriate financial assistance agreement, as determined by the Secretary) with the non-Federal project entity to conduct a study under subsection (a) that complies with the reclamation feasibility standards.

(c) Federal share of feasibility study costs

The Federal share of the total costs of carrying out the feasibility study under subsection (a) shall not exceed 50 percent.

(d) Authorization of appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $10,000,000.

(e) Termination of authority

The authority provided by this section expires on the date that is 10 years after the date of enactment of this Act.

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