North Dakota Ag Connection - Advancing Flood Protection for Minot Region

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Advancing Flood Protection for Minot Region
North Dakota Ag Connection - 03/25/2019

Senator John Hoeven, a member of the Senate Energy and Water Appropriations Committee, held a roundtable with Minot area officials to outline his ongoing efforts to secure permanent flood protection for the region. Specifically, Hoeven is working to:

- Secure approval of the Chief's report to advance phase 4, which ties together the first three phases of the project. The Chief's report is necessary for the project to be eligible for federal authorization and funding.

- Develop phase 5 of the flood protection project, including resolving issues with the railroad.

"Spring thaw is always a reminder of how important flood protection is for the safety and well-being of those living in the Souris River Valley, as well as the region's long-term economic stability and growth," said Hoeven. "We are working to secure approval of the Chief's report to advance the fourth phase of the project, which will tie together the phases under construction right now. At the same time, we are also working with local leaders to develop phase 5, including addressing issues with the railroad. We need permanent protection for the Minot region."

Hoeven has been pressing Lt. Gen. Todd Semonite, Chief of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, to sign the Chief's report, which would approve the Corps' three year feasibility study. This includes leading the delegation in sending a letter last month urging Lt. Gen. Semonite to sign the report, making the fourth phase eligible for congressional authorization and funding. The project's fourth phase, in conjunction with the first three phases, will deliver flood protection for 60 percent of Souris River Valley residents.

The Corps' study has identified the fourth phase Maple Diversion as the preferred part of the project to receive federal support and the Corps would fund 65 percent of construction of the fourth phase.

Once phase 4 of the flood protection project is completed, the next phase will install a levee tieback system in northeast Minot. Design is nearly completed for this fifth phase of the city's comprehensive flood protection project. Hoeven is working with city officials and BNSF to develop a plan to address outstanding concerns including resolving issues with the fifth phase's design interactions with BNSF railroad tracks.

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