"Rural water not only provides safe and reliable water to rural areas, but it also helps create economic development opportunities for rural areas," Grassley said. "The President stuck to his word in funding this important project. Many of the communities that will benefit from the Lewis and Clark Rural Water System would not otherwise be able to meet the rising costs of complying with strict environmental and health regulations."
The Lewis and Clark Rural Water System Authorization Act became law in July 2000. When complete, the project will provide safe, reliable drinking water to approximately 200,000 people in Iowa, South Dakota and Minnesota. Iowa cities that will be served are Sioux Center, Sibley, Sheldon, Boyden and Hull. The system will also serve the Clay Regional Water System, Rural Water Number 1 and Rock Rapids.
Grassley said the Office of Management and Budget will provide an additional $3.8 million for the Lewis and Clark Water Project, on top of the $2 million already provided. Grassley also said the administration intends to request a total of nearly $18 million in each of fiscal 2004 and 2005 to keep the project on track.
Grassley sent two letters in June to the Office of Management and Budget urging the highest possible funding to the Lewis and Clark Rural Water System. These letters followed a letter sent in April to Sen. Pete Domenici, chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development. Grassley asked for the highest possible funding for the Lewis and Clark Rural Water System project through the Bureau of Reclamation.
"The Lewis and Clark Rural Water System represents a unique regional approach by Iowa, South Dakota and Minnesota to address common problems. The approach creates a more effective and cost-efficient way than each state could do it alone," Grassley said.