Hoeven Signs $310 Million Water Project and Infrastructure Legislation
Press Release
Hoeven Signs $310 Million Water Project and Infrastructure Legislation
$75 million committed to providing permanent flood control in the Fargo, Cass County area
Gov. John Hoeven today signed House Bill 1020, a bill that provides a $310 million appropriation to the State Water Commission for vital water projects and infrastructure statewide. Included in this legislation is a commitment of $75 million to help fund permanent flood protection for the Fargo and Cass County area. The funding, which was proposed by the Governor in his executive budget and passed by the North Dakota Legislature, comes in the aftermath of historic flooding in North Dakota and meetings in Washington, D.C., to discuss permanent flood control solutions.
Joining Hoeven for the signing were area legislators, Fargo Mayor Dennis Walaker, Cass County Engineer Keith Berndt, and other city and county officials.
"Adequately funding North Dakota's infrastructure was a priority for us going into this legislative session, and that included funding for water projects," said Hoeven. "As evidenced by this spring's record flooding, we need to move forward on real flood protection in Fargo and rural Cass County, as well as meeting other vital water management needs throughout the state. That includes flood protection for Devils Lake and other areas of the state that have challenges with flooding. This legislation shows that North Dakota is fully committed to doing its part to make sure North Dakota families and communities have access to quality water and permanent protection from future floods."
"We are very pleased with the City of Fargo flood control funding commitment made by Governor John Hoeven and the North Dakota State Legislature," said Walaker.
The funding in this legislation for the southside Fargo flood control project is an important step forward in bringing permanent flood control throughout the Red River Valley. Hoeven and Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty last month proposed a meeting in Washington, D.C., with the Army Corps of Engineers and the two states' respective congressional delegations to push for permanent flood protection in the Red River basin. That meeting took place Tuesday.
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