Johnson Testifies in Support of His Eastern South Dakota Rural Water Bills

Washington, D.C. - Today, the House Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries held a hearing on U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson's (R-S.D.) bills to conduct feasibility studies on supplying Missouri River water to communities in eastern South Dakota.

"As South Dakota continues to grow, investments in water supply are critical for the future of our state," said Johnson. "I'm proud to support the Lewis and Clark and Dakota Mainstem projects to ensure safe and ample water resources for generations to come."

Click herefor Johnson's remarks

"The Lewis & Clark Regional Water System is grateful for the support of Congressman Johnson and the tri-state delegation for the planning for water needs of our region decades into the future, planning that can occur with this feasibility study," said Troy Larson, Executive Director of Lewis & Clark Regional Water System. "Whether it is economic development or the ongoing needs of communities big and small, access to safe reliable water is a necessary element to future growth."

"On behalf of Dakota Mainstem, I want to thank Congressman Dusty Johnson and the members of the House Subcommittee for the opportunity to testify and discuss the importance of this project," said Ryan Johnson, President of Dakota Mainstem Regional Water System. "Reliable water infrastructure is a shared responsibly, essential to the future growth, economic stability, and long-term drought resilience of our region. This feasibility study authorization is an important step toward ensuring communities, rural water systems, and future generations have access to a dependable water supply."

The Lewis and Clark Regional Water System Expansion Feasibility Study Act authorizes the Bureau of Reclamation to carry out a feasibility study for a proposed drinking water project drawing from the Missouri River. This project would support Lewis and Clark Regional Water System's efforts to supply drinking water to 350,000 people in southeast South Dakota, northwest Iowa, and southwest Minnesota. Click here for bill text.

The Dakota Mainstem Water Supply Project Feasibility Study Act authorizes the Bureau of Reclamation to carry out a feasibility study for a proposed water project drawing from the Missouri River to supplement local supplies and address long-term water scarcity and quality challenges. This project will help Dakota Mainstem support more than 50 water providers in South Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota, and Nebraska. Click here for bill text.

Johnson testified in support of his Western South Dakota Water Supply Project Feasibility Study Act on April 16, 2026.