Area watershed projects, cities get funds, including $75,000 for Lower James River

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PIERRE — The Lower James River watershed project and the Lewis & Clark watershed restoration project are among the projects to receive funding from the state Board of Water and Natural Resources, according to a news release issued Friday.

Projects in the cities of Alpena, Winner and Ethan also received funding.

The board approved a total of $43.4 million in grants and loans for drinking water, wastewater, storm water, watershed improvement, landfill and recycling projects.

The board met Thursday and Friday in Pierre.

A $75,000 grant was awarded from the Consolidated Water Facilities Construction Program to the James River Water Development District for the Lower James River watershed project. A $275,000 grant was approved from the same program to the Randall Resource, Conservation and Development District (headquartered in Lake Andes) for the Lewis & Clark watershed restoration project.

The grants will help provide cost-share funds for construction of several animal-waste management systems at livestock feeding operations in the watersheds.

The James River project is the third phase of an effort to improve the James River’s water quality and beneficial uses by targeting and reducing sources of fecal coliform bacteria and suspended solids in the watershed. The Lewis & Clark project has a similar aim.

The estimated cost of the James River project is $1.23 million, and the estimated cost of the Lewis & Clark project is $2.79 million.

Other funding was awarded to the following area recipients.

• South Eastern Council of Governments: $300,000 grant for regional solid-waste and recycling revolving loan fund.

• Alpena: $1,465,000 loan for wastewater treatment facility upgrade and expansion.

• Winner: $400,000 loan for wastewater collection system improvements.

• Ethan: $550,000 grant and $500,000 loan for wastewater treatment improvements.

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