Reservation ready for Mni Wiconi water hookup -- AP Wire | 11/15/2004

This hookup would benefits 55,000 people in South Darkota..

Reservation ready for Mni Wiconi water hookup

Associated Press

PINE RIDGE, S.D. - Planners are hoping to connect residents of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation to Missouri River water sometime next year.

The core line of the Mni Wiconi water project is complete nearly to Kadoka, where it will connect next year to a pipeline to Wanblee on the northeast side of Pine Ridge, said Duane Brewer, director of the Oglala Sioux Rural Water Supply System.

But much of the project's completion hinges on Congress, which has yet to pass a joint water and energy bill for the 2005 fiscal year that began Oct. 1.

Mike Watson, head engineer for the Oglalas, said he's optimistic the completion of the Mid-Dakota project will help free up money for Mni Wiconi. He hopes Congress will act this month during its "lame duck" session.

"That should free up rural water budget across the country a little bit," Watson said. "Projects like Mni Wiconi that are well advanced should receive a part of that."

The Mni Wiconi project is designed to deliver water to about 55,000 people in nine West River counties, Pine Ridge and on the Lower Brule and Rosebud Indian reservations. Read More...

AP Wire | 11/15/2004 | Reservation ready for Mni Wiconi water hookup