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BILL • US HOUSE
HR 8006

Dakota Water Resources Act Amendments of 2026

119th Congress
Introduced by Julie Fedorchak,

Authorizes $1.0B+ for water projects, boosting North Dakota’s rural and tribal water supply with new treatment plants, pipelines, and flexible funding.

Introduced in House
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Bill Summary • HR 8006

 Dakota Water Resources Act Amendments of 2026 (H.R. 8006)

Item Details
Introduced 19 March 2026, House of Representatives
Sponsor Rep. Julie Fedorchak (D‑ND)
Committee Committee on Natural Resources (referred)
Status Introduced; awaiting Committee action
Companion Bill S 4040 (Senate)

1. Purpose & Intent

H.R. 8006 amends Public Law 89‑108 (the Dakota Water Resources Act) to:

Goal How it’s achieved
Expand funding for water supply projects Authorizes new appropriations and reallocates existing funds across several state‑wide water infrastructure programs
Prioritize critical water‑security initiatives Focuses on projects that address drinking‑water needs for rural areas and Native American reservations
Provide flexibility in funding usage Allows the U.S. Secretary of the Interior to shift funds among projects within specified limits
Support engineering and feasibility studies Mandates updated engineering reports and feasibility studies before construction proceeds

2. Key Provisions

2.1 New Appropriations (Subparagraph (D) i)

No. Project Authorized Fund (indexed) Notes
I Northwest Area Water Supply Biota Water Treatment Plant & Pump Station $120 million Completion of all phases
II McClusky Canal & Missouri River North Alternative (Eastern North Dakota Alternate Water Supply) $404 million Record of decision 15 Jan 2021
III Southwest Pipeline Project $50 million Includes intake, pump station, transmission line upgrades, hydraulic improvements & rural distribution
IV Rural water district upgrades (e.g., South Central Regional Water District, Northeast North Dakota Long‑Term Water Supply) $63 million Treating, distribution, expansion

2.2 Tribal Water System Funding (Subparagraph (C))

Row Reservation Max Fund (indexed) Target
I Fort Totten (Spirit Lake) $118 million Rural water system
II Fort Berthold (Three Affiliated) $275 million Rural water system
III Standing Rock $240 million Rural water system
IV Turtle Mountain $98 million Rural water system
V Lake Traverse $12 million Feasibility study; if viable, construction of system

2.3 Miscellaneous Funding Adjustments

Provision Amount Purpose
Section 11 (b)(2) $75 million Remains available until expended
Cost‑Indexing Various subparagraphs Adjusts authorized amounts for ordinary construction‑cost inflation

2.4 Transfer & Allocation Rules

  • Subclause (ii) allows transfer among the new projects but limits any one project’s original amount to a maximum +50 % increase due to transfers.
  • Subclause (iii) requires the Secretary to use allowed funds to complete final engineering reports within 2 years of enactment.

3. Affected Parties & Impact

Stakeholder How the Bill Affects Them
North Dakota State Additional federal money for water treatment, transmission, and rural distribution; potential for improved water reliability.
Rural Communities Direct benefits from upgraded pipelines, treatment plants, and distribution expansions.
Native American Reservations Significant funding for tribal rural water systems (Spirit Lake, Fort Berthold, Standing Rock, Turtle Mountain) and a feasibility study for Lake Traverse.
Local Water Districts Potential capital injections for expansion or improvement projects.
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation & Interior Greater authority to allocate funds and commission engineering studies.
Businesses & Industries Indirect benefits from more reliable water supply for municipal and industrial use.

4. Timeline & Procedural Notes

Step Date Action
Bill Introduced 19 Mar 2026 House procedural action
Committee Referral 19 Mar 2026 Review by House Committee on Natural Resources
Engineering Reports 2 years post‑enactment Required completion as stipulated
Funding Availability Available immediately for authorized projects unless otherwise specified Projects may begin after engineering studies

5. Summary

H.R. 8006 is a comprehensive amendment to the Dakota Water Resources Act that injects more than $1 billion in authorizations for a broad range of water infrastructure projects across North Dakota. It prioritizes:

  • State‑wide water treatment and distribution upgrades (Northwest area, Southwest pipeline, rural districts).
  • Tribal water system improvements for four reservations and a feasibility study for a fifth.
  • Flexible funding allocation while maintaining fiscal safeguards.
  • Mandatory engineering and feasibility verification to ensure projects meet technical and financial requirements.

If passed in full, the bill would significantly strengthen water supply resilience for both rural and tribal communities in North Dakota and provide the Department of the Interior with the resources and flexibility to manage projects effectively.

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Key Provisions Impacts Timeline
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