News Releases for February 2002
February 6, 2002
For further information, please Contact the Governor's Office, or
Jim Chesnutt, FEMA Public Affairs (303) 235-4948
FEMA Approves $2.2 Million Grant To Support Cass County Flood Control
BISMARCK, N.D. - Governor John Hoeven today announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved a federal grant of $2,176,500 for the purchase of drainage easements along the Wild Rice River and Red River in Cass County.
“This project will prevent future development in the floodplain,” said David L. Maurstad, regional director of FEMA. “The easements will help provide for flood storage, improved water quality, wildlife habitat, and undeveloped public green space.”
The federal grant, which will be supplemented by local and state contributions, will support easements extending a minimum of 500 feet from each river on approximately 500 parcels and 2000 acres. Nonagricultural lands will be deed restricted, while conservation easements will be placed on agricultural properties, allowing continued farming.
“The grant is important to our flood protection efforts for the Red River Valley,” Hoeven said. “We will continue to work with FEMA to improve flood prevention and create more quality wildlife habitat for our citizens.”
The FEMA grant, representing 75 percent of the projected project cost, is to be awarded through FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. The State of North Dakota will fund 10 percent of projected project cost, with local government providing the balance. The grant program is designed to help break the cycle of damage and repair common areas prone to disaster. The North Dakota Division of Emergency Management administers it.
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