Rounds Statement on Senate Passage of Water Infrastructure Bill

WASHINGTON—U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today issued a statement on the Senate’s passage of America’s Water Infrastructure Act, a comprehensive, bipartisan bill that will benefit communities across South Dakota.

“Water is one of our most precious natural resources,” said Rounds. “South Dakotans rely on water infrastructure for energy, irrigation, agriculture, recreation, flood control, and clean drinking water. The legislation we passed today builds on the Senate’s commitment to investing in the future of our country. This bill will modernize and strengthen America’s water infrastructure so these systems will be around for generations to come. I look forward to President Trump signing it into law soon.”

Rounds’ priorities included in America’s Water Infrastructure Act:

• Directs the Secretary of the Army to expedite completion of snowpack and moisture monitoring programs authorized under the 2014 Water Resources Development Act.
• Directs the Secretary of the Army to quickly review applications for certain easements necessary to access federal land for installation of water withdrawal intakes in the Upper Missouri Mainstem Reservoirs.
• Restricts the Army Corps of Engineers from issuing a water storage fee with respect to any water storage in the Upper Missouri Mainstem Reservoirs until 2026. It also extends the current prohibition on surplus water fees until 2026.
• Includes a provision for inflation adjustment of cost-sharing provisions for territories and Indian tribes.
• Allows authorized projects under the Tribal Partnership Program, such as the Lower Brule Shoreline Erosion Project, to be split into separable elements so work can begin as soon as possible.

America’s Water Infrastructure Act is supported by the American Farm Bureau Federation, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Ducks Unlimited, the National Rural Water Association, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the National Association of Counties and more.

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