Washington, DC-Today, the South Dakota Congressional Delegation met with representatives of the Army Corps of Engineers to discuss the lack of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding for the Big Sioux Flood Control Project in Sioux Falls. In late April, it was announced that the Big Sioux Flood Control project would not receive a share of the $2 billion provided to the Corps in the stimulus. Senators Tim Johnson and John Thune and Representative Stephanie Herseth Sandlin strongly disagreed with this exclusion, and sent a letter to the Corps of Engineers requesting a meeting to discuss the implementation of the provisions in the ARRA related to the Corps of Engineers civil works program for water resource facilities. Today’s meeting resulted from this request and provided the delegation an opportunity to stress the critical importance of the project for Sioux Falls and the region.
“I expressed my deep disappointment in the decision by the Corps of Engineers during the meeting today and asked them to reconsider. The benefits of the project strongly outweigh the costs, as it would protect nearly $750 million in property damage in the case of a major flood. Despite this setback, I am committed to seeking funding for Big Sioux Flood Control Project in the upcoming appropriations process. This project will be completed, but the current delay is simply short-sighted,” said Johnson.
“After being led to believe that the Sioux Falls Flood Control Project would receive approximately $11 million in funding from the stimulus package, the Army Corps of Engineers provided no funding for this project,” said Thune. “This project directly impacts 1,600 homeowners who are paying a steep price for flood insurance until this problem is resolved. Funding this project would have created jobs and saved these homeowners money and it was important for the delegation to present that information to the Corps on behalf of the city of Sioux Falls and the homes and businesses impacted.”
“The Economic Recovery package has had a significant and positive effect on infrastructure projects across South Dakota, including Lewis and Clark and numerous transportation priorities. However, by not providing funding for the Big Sioux Flood Control Project, the Corps of Engineers is missing a tremendous opportunity to not only create jobs, but to invest in critical infrastructure that would keep the Sioux Falls community safe,” Rep. Herseth Sandlin said. “Today’s meeting gave us the chance to express our concerns for the Sioux Falls community and gain a better understanding of the reasoning behind the Corps’ surprising and regrettable decision.”
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