U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced today that she secured over $13 million for critical Nebraska water infrastructure priorities in the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.
The bill, which must still be voted upon by the Senate and House, was advanced Thursday by the Senate Appropriations Committee.
“Water infrastructure is absolutely essential to modern life. This funding will help update aging water infrastructure in Nebraska’s communities and improve their water treatment capabilities. I will continue to support this bill through to final passage to bring this critical funding home to Nebraska,” said Senator Fischer.
Additional details on the provisions secured by Senator Fischer are listed below:
Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act:
Nebraska Bill Highlights
Santee Sioux Nation
Project Name: Santee Sioux Nation Water System Capacity and Infrastructure Improvements
Project Description: The improvements would address the tribe’s concerns about the quality of their drinking water.
Project Location: Santee, NE
Appropriated Amount: $8,250,000
Middle Niobrara NRD
Project Name: Long Pine Creek Watershed (LPCW) Watershed & Flood Prevention Operations (WFPO) Plan-EA Project Design and Implementation
Project Location: Valentine, NE
Appropriated Amount: $1,400,000
City of McCook
Project Name: McCook WTP Media Replacement and Vessel Repair
Appropriated Amount: $1,000,000
Village of Valparaiso
Project Name: Valparaiso Sewer Rehabilitation
Project Description: This project would decrease wastewater flowing through the sewer lines.
Appropriated Amount: $225,000
City of Genoa
Project Name: New Well & Transmission Line
Appropriated Amount: $350,000
Village of Ong
Project Name: Lagoon System Replacement
Appropriated Amount: $100,000
Village of Oakdale
Project Name: Oakdale Well and water system improvements
Appropriated Amount: $150,000
Village of Greeley
Project Name: Greeley Wastewater Improvements
Project Description: The improvements consist of constructing a retention lagoon, lift station, and sanitary sewer extensions.
Appropriated Amount: $1,300,000
Village of Shelby
Project Name: Shelby Lagoon Improvements
Project Description: The improvements consist of constructing an additional lagoon cell and repairing existing lagoons.
Appropriated Amount: $600,000
Village of Farwell
Project Name: Farwell Municipal Water System Improvements
Project Description: The improvements consist of constructing a sanitary water storage facility and replacing an aging well.
Appropriated Amount: $508,000
Additional Measures:
Senator Fischer also secured language in the FY25 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act to:
• Direct the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to provide additional economic analysis of the impact of their wastewater rule for meat and poultry processors.
• Limit the EPA’s authority to require reporting of greenhouse gases from livestock emissions.
• Increase funding for the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ criminal investigations and police services account.
• Increase funding for the Bureau of Indian Education Construction Account.