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News from Rep. Stephanie Herseth
For Immediate Release
Contact: Russ Levsen, 202-225-2801

SOUTH DAKOTA WATER PROJECT FUNDING ANNOUNCED FOR FY07

Lewis and Clark, Mni Wiconi Receive Year-Over-Year Increases

March 19, 2007, Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Stephanie Herseth’s office today announced fiscal year 2007 funding levels for South Dakota water projects. The Lewis and Clark Rural Water Project received $21 million, an increase over the $17.5 million received in FY 2006. Mni Wiconi received $37.9 million, an increase over the $30 million received in FY 2006.

Herseth said, “I’m pleased we were able to improve upon last year’s funding levels in such a tight budget situation. Clearly, worthy projects like Lewis and Clark must be prioritized as essential infrastructure. A clean, safe and abundant supply of drinking water is absolutely necessary for South Dakota families, schools and businesses, both in our growing population centers and our most rural communities.”

Earlier this year, the House passed a pared-down Continuing Resolution to fund the government, holding most programs at their FY 2006 funding levels and stripping all “earmarks” from the spending bills that had been passed. As such, it was expected that water project funding would remain at last year’s levels. However, Rep. Herseth has been aggressively advocating for increased investment in these water projects as essential infrastructure in South Dakota. Herseth added, “As the summer construction season approaches, this increased funding is particularly critical to ensuring continued progress.”

# # #

Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth serves South Dakota in the U.S. House of Representatives. She is a member of the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of moderate Democrats committed to fiscal discipline and strong national security, and is co-chair of the Rural Working Group, which is dedicated to raising the profile of issues important to rural America. She also serves on three committees vital to South Dakota’s interests: Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs and Resources. In the 110th Congress, Herseth was appointed to serve on the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming.