OMAHA, Neb., Oct. 21, 2000 (AP) — Some officials in the three states to be affected by the Lewis and Clark water project say they are still worried about its chances of gaining final approval.
The $273 million project was approved Tuesday by the U.S. House, but only after some unrelated water projects in California were tacked on. The measure now has to go back to the Senate - which had already voted for a narrower version of the bill - for approval of the changes.
"It's frustrating for me as a mayor who is attempting to provide a necessary water resource and a life-giving utility for our citizens to have politics in D.C. with a California congressman affecting the safety and health of our citizens," Sioux Falls Mayor Gary Hanson said Tuesday.
He was referring to Rep. John Doolittle, R-Calif., who added the water projects for his state before dropping his opposition to Lewis and Clark. Doolittle is chairman of the subcommittee with jurisdiction over such projects.
"Unfortunately, the distaste for Doolittle's tactics by some senators, rightfully or wrongfully, could affect the quality of life for hundreds of thousands of people," Hanson said.
The system would bring Missouri River water to 180,000 people in Sioux Falls and 21 rural communities in southeastern South Dakota, northwestern Iowa and southwestern Minnesota. Studies have indicated that without another source, Sioux Falls will not have water to support growth after 2012.
The project calls for $213 million from the federal government. The difference would be paid by the towns involved.
Officials in Minnesota and Iowa are also concerned about the bill's chances in the Senate.
But Denny Davids, water superintendent in Sibley, Iowa, said he is keeping his hopes high.
"We have probably the worst water in the state of Iowa as far as hardness and high sulfates," he said. "I am pretty excited about it. We have been hoping and keeping our fingers crossed that it would go through."
Don Evers, who heads the Lincoln-Pipestone Rural Water System in Minnesota, said his system does not have enough water to serve its eight counties. He is not celebrating the House action yet.
"Every time they put riders on it, it scares me," he said.
Pam Bonrud, executive director for Lewis and Clark, said she is still optimistic, however.
"It isn't anything that will cause us a great problem," said Bonrud, of Sioux Falls.
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