Issue Position: Water Infrastructure

Issue Position

North Dakota has abundant water resources. If they are carefully managed, these resources will provide tremendous economic and recreational opportunities for residents and visitors. Well-constructed, well-managed flood protection infrastructure can protect the lives, livelihoods and property of North Dakotans across our state. From my position on the Energy and Water Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee, I am working to restore, improve and build up our state's water infrastructure. In addition to the maintenance and improvement of several dams and levees operated by the Army Corps of Engineers, I am particularly focused on:

Developing permanent flood protection for the Fargo area. Securing authorization for the Fargo Moorhead Diversion in the 2014 Water Resources Development Act was a priority for me, and I continue to urge all interested parties to arrive at a project plan that will provide the greatest protection with the least amount of disruption for area residents.

Restoring and enhancing flood protection along the Souris River in and around Minot. The 2011 flooding in Minot was perhaps the most severe challenge that community has ever faced. In its aftermath, I worked to provide more than $600 million in federal funding to respond to the flood, and I continue to work to secure long-term protection that ensures we never again face the ordeal of a similar flood.

Ensuring the Corps of Engineers is prepared for future flood fights along the Missouri River. Working with colleagues up and down the Missouri River, I worked to provide roughly $1 billion in funds to repair damaged levees and dams along the Missouri River after the 2011 floods. I continue to press the Corps of Engineers to prioritize the protection of life and property when managing the Missouri River's system of mainstem dams, including Garrison Dam at Lake Sakakawea.

Preventing EPA Overreach: the Proposed Waters of the United States Regulation. The proposed Waters of the U.S. regulation would expand federal authority under the Clean Water Act and have adverse economic impacts for property owners who would face new federal permits, compliance costs and threats of fines. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Energy and Water Subcommittee, I am leading an effort to prevent the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from implementing the proposed Waters of the U.S. rule by preventing any federal funding from being used to implement it. Additionally, I am cosponsoring and pushing for Congress to pass the Protecting Water and Property Rights Act of 2014, which would prevent the EPA and Corps from finalizing the proposed rule. We need to block the Waters of the U.S. rule because it would have a damaging impact not only for ranchers, farmers and small businesses, but also on construction companies and the N.D. Department of Transportation as they work to build infrastructure to accommodate the area's rapid growth.

Northwest Area Water Supply Project. Since 2001, when I was in the governor's office, I have been working to bring high quality drinking water to the seven counties in Northwest North Dakota that will be served by the NAWS project. Many of the communities have drinking water that does not currently meet acceptable standards. The federal government is committed to paying for 65 percent of the funds through the Municipal, Residential and Industrial water project. I will continue to push the Bureau of Reclamation, and other agencies to complete the construction so we can deliver long-awaited fresh water to communities in ND.

Preventing the Corps from charging a fee for Missouri River reservoir water. North Dakotans should be able to enjoy the benefits of the water resources in our state. That means working with the Corps of Engineers to maximize opportunities for water-related recreation and economic development. It also means strongly opposing the Corps of Engineers' effort to assume control of state-owned water and charge a fee for access to Missouri River reservoirs. To address this federal overreach, I worked to pass legislation that prevents the Corps of Engineers from charging North Dakotans for accessing Lake Sakakawea water, which rightfully belongs to North Dakota.

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