Budget reduces funds for Mni Wiconi water project

Tuesday, February 5, 2008  

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)

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