Budget reduces funds for Mni Wiconi water project
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Filed Under:
Politics
President Bush's fiscal year 2009 budget proposes to reduce funds for the Mni Wiconi water project in South Dakota.
The budget requests $10 million for maintenance and operation and $16.24 million for construction. Mike Watson, the head engineer for the Oglala Sioux Tribe, said that's not enough to keep the project on track.
Congress appropriated $28 million for Mni Wiconi for the current year. Watson said the project needs around $34 million in 2009.
When complete, the project will bring water to the Pine Ridge Reservation, the Rosebud Sioux Reservation and the Lower Brule Sioux Reservation. Non-reservation communities are also being served.
The project began 20 years ago but still isn't complete. So far, $330 million has been spent in federal, tribal and state money, The Rapid City Journal reported.
Get the Story:
Bush budget a drought for water projects
(The Rapid City Journal 2/5)
Related Stories:
Omnibus includes $28M for Mni Wiconi water project
(12/20)
Editorial: Oglala Sioux
Tribe still waiting on water (11/2)
South
Dakota water project gets extra funds (3/20)
South Dakota Indians praise Sen. Johnson's work
(12/15)
Reservation water project seeks
more funds (5/26)
Pine Ridge Reservation
awaits water system hookup (11/16)
Editorial: Bush budget cuts
'unacceptable' (2/11)
Bush
budget cuts funds for S.D. water project (2/7)
Reservation water project extended
(11/21)
Copyright © Indianz.Com
Subscribe