News Releases for February 2003
February 26, 2003
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Hoeven Meets In D.C. With U.S. Interior Secretary Gale Norton, OMB Officials, Sen. Dorgan
Governor and Officials Strategize on Water Issues
BISMARCK, N.D. - Gov. John Hoeven this week met separately with U.S. Interior Secretary Gale Norton, Office of Management and Budget (OMB) officials and U.S. Sen. Byron Dorgan in Washington, D.C. to coordinate strategies on a range of water issues, including tribal waters, the Devils Lake outlet, the Grand Forks Dike project and the Northwest Area Water System (NAWS).
“It is important to marshal all of our resources in Washington to pursue North Dakota’s interests,” Hoeven said. “Progress on vital water projects in our state will require a team approach to secure the administrative support, legislation and funding necessary to advance our projects.”
Discussion focused on delayed project funding under the Municipal, Rural and Industrial (MR&I) water supply program and the Dakota Water Resources Act (DWRA) of 2000. MR&I funds the Southwest Pipeline Project and NAWS, which is unfunded in the 2004 budget, although it is funded through the current year. Hoeven earlier this month wrote to Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, to push for restored NAWS funding.
Hoeven has also been critical of the Army Corps of Engineers’ delay of a Red River study designed to identify alternatives to best meet the water support needs of the Valley, a preliminary step to bringing fresh drinking water to residences, schools, hospitals and industries in the Red River Valley.
The DWRA includes $631.5 million to cover tribal and state recreation projects, as well as $200 million for a Red River Valley municipal water project study, $6.5 million for recreation projects and $25 million for a natural resources trust.
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