Construction of the Lewis and Clark water pipeline continues near Vermillion and an Iowa congressman says he'll fight for continued federal funding because of the water needs in Iowa cities like Sioux Center and Sheldon.

Republican Steve King was in Vermillion today to see the pipeline's construction for himself and to talk with Action News about getting federal money during these tough economic times.

Pipeline construction continues near Vermillion because of 56 million in federal stimulus money earmarked for the project.
The guy at the controls of this excavator is one of those responsible for getting the cash.

"It's essential..." Iowa Congressman Steve King's interest is more than passing.
When completed, this pipeline will bring water to not only South Dakota but to a good portion of northwest Iowa.
Communities King says are ready to grow but can't because of low water supplies and he tells Action News convincing big state lawmakers of the importance is tough. "A lot of the rest of the country doesn't really have that much interest in how we grow the economy in the upper midwest."

To keep Lewis and Clark on schedule requires funding of 35 million a year.
On a project this size, the bank empties out quick.

"It's really important that we receive continued federal funding at a level needed to keep construction on schedule." Troy Larson is part of the Lewis and Clark team and says the federal stimulus money allowed them to award a lot of contracts this year...but ..."Next year we could not be awarding any contracts.."

Congressman King says he'll join Representative Herseth Sandlin and Senators Johnson and Thune in making the case for federal cash. "Any community that's going to sustain their population and their industrial base let alone grow had to have an adequate water supply."

Right now, 16 million in federal money has been set aside for next year.

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