Hoeven Testifies On Treatment Plan For NAWS

Press Release

Hoeven Testifies On Treatment Plan For NAWS

Gov. John Hoeven tonight will present testimony to the Bureau of Reclamation regarding treatment options for the Northwest Area Water Supply Project. Hoeven's testimony:

* Emphasizes the importance of the NAWS project
* Highlights the environmental soundness of the project, and the various protections that are already in place and planned for it; and
* Expresses concern that the Bureau of Reclamation must be prepared to immediately fund the preferred alternative selected.

"The science for the project as approved in the Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact is sound, and remains sound," Hoeven's testimony says. "Therefore, we respectfully and strongly urge the Bureau of Reclamation to select the so-called ‘No Action Alternative,' the treatment plan included in the original Environmental Assessment approved by the Bureau and the EPA. The ‘no action alternative' is a misnomer, because in reality this base-line option represents several enhancements already included in the project as approved by the Department of the Interior in 2001. These enhancements are meant to mitigate the risk of transferring biota or aquatic species across the watershed."

"The NAWS project is vitally important to North Dakota," Hoeven said. "If redundant treatment is required, meaning a full treatment plant at the Sakakawea intake, as well as full treatment in Minot, then we need a federal commitment to fund the additional cost now so that no further delay of this water delivery project occurs."

The Governor will deliver his testimony, which is attached, to Bureau of Reclamation officials at 7:20 p.m. this evening, Monday, February 4, 2008, at the Bismarck Ramkota Inn, 800 S. 3rd St.

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