Bluestem has been writing about the need to complete the Lewis and Clark Regional Water System in Southwestern Minnesota almost as long as the blog has been around.
Unfortunately, the tristate infrastructure project has been caught in federal political games, enough though the support in all three states has long been bi-partisan. This spring, the Minnesota legislature approved funding to extend the pipeline into Minnesota, although finishing the pipeline all the way to Worthington will require more federal money.
The Worthington Globe reports in Dayton talks Lewis & Clark in Luverne:
Gov. Mark Dayton traveled to Luverne on Friday to meet with local officials and area legislators to discuss the next steps in advancing the construction of the Lewis & Clark Regional Water System.
Dayton listened, asked questions and offered his continued support to ensure the project continues on course toward completion.
Worthington Mayor Alan Oberloh opened Friday’s discussion by explaining that while the area did get hit hard with recent flooding, it didn’t solve the water issues that Rock and Nobles County are currently facing.
“Even though we had the amount of water that we did just recently, the wells in the Worthington area have not recovered and the need is still there,” Oberloh said. “(However) without your help, we wouldn’t be where we are at with the $22 million without your support.”
The Minnesota Legislature approved $22 million in May for Lewis & Clark in its biennial bonding bill. Troy Larson, executive director of the water system, told Dayton and others at the meeting where the $22 million will go in terms of the project’s timeline.
Globe staff writer Erin Trestor reports that Luverne should be online by the fall of 2015, while the line should make it to Worthington by 2018, provided federal money flows.
Read the rest at the Globe.
Photo: This will stop being the pipeline to nowhere by the fall of 2015. Photo via MPR.
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