Thune, Rounds Legislation to Advance Lewis and Clark Water Expansion Project Approved by Committee
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) applauded the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources for passing their legislation on Thursday, July 16, that would authorize a feasibility study for the proposed expansion of the Lewis and Clark Regional Water System. The bill now heads to the full Senate.
“The Lewis and Clark Regional Water System continues to achieve meaningful progress toward fully serving its member communities across South Dakota, Iowa, and Minnesota,” said Thune. “I’m pleased that the committee has passed our legislation and look forward to its consideration by the full Senate. I thank Senator Rounds for working with me on this important effort.”
“Continued access to clean and reliable water is critical to economic development and quality of life in our state,” said Rounds. “I’m pleased that the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources has advanced our legislation that would authorize a feasibility study for an expansion of the Lewis and Clark Regional Water System. I look forward to working with Senator Thune and my colleagues to get this feasibility study through the Senate and into law.”
“Lewis and Clark Regional Water System is grateful to Congress and the champions of this legislation, including Leader Thune, for recognizing the importance of long-term water infrastructure planning,” said Troy Larson, executive director of the Lewis and Clark Regional Water System. “The success of our region depends on a dependable water supply, and this measure will help ensure we are prepared to meet future needs as our communities grow. Thoughtful planning today will help secure reliable water service, economic opportunity, and quality of life for generations to come. We thank the bill sponsors for their leadership.”
In addition to Thune and Rounds, the Lewis and Clark Regional Water System Expansion Feasibility Study Act (S. 3725) is cosponsored by U.S. Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and Tina Smith (D-Minn).
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You got it through committee? You got it through committee? Astounding work! Our United States Senate Majority Leader got something through committee?! Incredible. Something that so clearly impacts the lives of South Dakota residents, Minnesota residents, Iowa residents, and you finally got it through committee! Such great statesmanship! Of course it won’t go anywhere in the House because Mike Johnson is mad at you about SAVE. Of course Trump won’t sign it because he is mad at you about SAVE….but hey, pat on the back….you got it out of a committee.
“Senator John Thune introduced S. 3725, the Lewis & Clark Regional Water System Expansion Feasibility Study Act. The measure would direct the Interior Department to study expanding the system’s capacity and geographic reach, with a federal share of no more than 50% of the study cost.”
“On July 16, 2026, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee ordered S. 3725 favorably reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. That advances the bill out of committee, but it does not mean the expansion or even the study has received final congressional authorization.”
That was almost as exciting as renaming a rural post office branch.
Does the expansion of the water system account for the lake shrinking? Honest question. As sediment continues to pour in from the Niobrara and the chutes expand well past Springfield, I wonder how it all plays out.
Lewis Clark pulls from the Missouri by Vermillion, below Gavins Point not from the Lewis and Clark Reservoir..
My mistake. Thanks for teaching me!
Thune and Rounds may as well pump their efforts. They haven’t earned their paychecks for many months. President Trump controls all 3 branches of the government . Thune is particularly embarrassing. The titular leader of the US Senate.
Is there a JFM pun in there somewhere? Asking for a friend.
Senators Thune and Rounds should absolutely be commended. A couple of the comments above show complete ignorance with respect to what it takes to pass congressional legislation. Having US Senators with their seniority should not be taken lightly. If the South Dakota voters ever decide to trade one of these guys off for a freshman, we would certainly regret it.
Just like when it happened to Daschle, am I right??