Interior to study four-state water project; no construction mandate yet
S. 3736 — Dakota Mainstem Water Supply Project Feasibility Study Act · Filed by Mike Rounds (R-SD) · 1 cosponsor · Introduced Jan 29, 2026 · Reported out
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What it does
This bill directs the Interior Secretary to study whether a water supply project can feasibly serve municipal, rural, and industrial water needs across South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, and Minnesota through the Dakota Mainstem Regional Water System. The federal government would fund up to 50% of the $10 million study cost, with the nonprofit regional water system covering the rest; the study authority expires in 10 years.
Why we flagged it
The bill's sole operative mechanism is authorization of a study—no construction, no direct spending, no regulatory change. It is a planning and information-gathering instrument, not a substantive policy or appropriation.
What the text implies
- Study authorization does not obligate construction; a negative feasibility finding would likely end the project without further congressional action, but a positive finding could trigger future appropriations requests and construction debates.
- The 50/50 cost-share structure means the nonprofit regional water system must raise $5M in non-federal funds; if the nonprofit cannot secure matching funds, the study may not proceed despite federal authorization.
The full analysis lists 4 implications of this text.
Who stands to gain
Dakota Mainstem Regional Water System, Inc. (nonprofit entity receiving federal cost-share for study; Engineering and consulting firms contracted to conduct the feasibility study