News Releases for February 2003
February 3, 2003
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Hoeven Pleased With President's Funding For Military Bases
Governor Works to Secure Continued Funding for NAWS
BISMARCK, N.D. - Gov. John Hoeven today said he is pleased with President Bush’s budget support for military construction in North Dakota, notably $41 million for new housing at the Minot Air Force Base, $30 million for the Grand Forks Air Force Base and $1.6 million for a new medical annex building for the Army National Guard in Bismarck.
The Governor said he is concerned, however, that the President’s budget does not include funding for some important water projects, including 2004 funding for the Northwest Area Water Supply (NAWS) project, part of Garrison Diversion.
NAWS is currently funded under a continuing resolution, pending passage of a 2003 appropriation bill that will provide financial support through October 2003. With those funds the state will complete another 10 miles of pipeline, and 20 miles of pipeline design to Lake Sakakawea, according to Hoeven.
News that the President’s budget did not include NAWS funding for ’04 came in a phone call to Hoeven this afternoon from John Keyes, Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation for the U.S. Department of the Interior.
“We worked hard with Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton two years ago to get the project underway after nearly 20 years of effort,” Hoeven said. “We’re extremely disappointed that funding is not included for 2004, but we’re already laying the groundwork to get it restored.”
After hearing from Keyes, Hoeven immediately contacted the White House and the Interior Department to seek an administrative solution. Hoeven also sent a letter to Norton to request a meeting. He will also work with the state’s congressional delegation and other legislators to get funding restored in Congress.
“This is a work in progress,” Hoeven said. “As we work with the White House and through the Interior Department, work will proceed on the project. It makes no sense to cut funding for a project that is already underway, and that will benefit so many.”
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