Summary of S 3725: Lewis & Clark Regional Water System Expansion Feasibility Study Act

Main Purpose and Intent

This bill would require the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a feasibility study on constructing a project to expand the capacity and reach of the Lewis & Clark Regional Water System, a rural water supply system serving parts of Iowa, Minnesota, and South Dakota. The study would assess the technical and financial viability of expanding this regional water system.

Key Provisions

• Directs the Secretary of the Interior, in coordination with the Lewis & Clark Rural Water System (the "non-Federal project entity"), to carry out a feasibility study on the proposed rural water supply project expansion.
• Requires the Secretary to develop a feasibility report with a recommendation on whether the project should be authorized for construction, as well as the appropriate non-Federal cost share (at least 25% of total construction costs).
• Mandates the Secretary to submit the feasibility report to Congress and make it publicly available.
• Calls for the Secretary to enter into a cost-sharing agreement with the non-Federal project entity to conduct the feasibility study, with the federal share not to exceed 50% of total study costs.
• Authorizes $10 million in appropriations to the Secretary to carry out the feasibility study.
• Expires the authority granted in the bill after 10 years from the date of enactment.

Affected Parties

• The Lewis & Clark Rural Water System, Inc. (doing business as the "Lewis & Clark Regional Water System") and any future nonprofit successor entities would be the primary non-federal partners for the feasibility study and potential expansion project.
• Residents, communities, and industries in the states of Iowa, Minnesota, and South Dakota that are served or could be served by an expanded Lewis & Clark Regional Water System.
• The Department of the Interior, which would oversee the feasibility study and development of the recommendation.
• Congressional committees with jurisdiction over water resources development and management.

Key Dates and Timelines

• The bill was introduced in the Senate on January 29, 2026.
• The feasibility study authority expires 10 years after the date of enactment.
• No specific timeline is provided for completion of the feasibility study and report, beyond requiring the Secretary to carry it out.