News Releases for October 2003
October 17, 2003
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Hoeven Presses For 2005 Water Project Funding, Elkhorn Ranch Preserve
Governor Meets In Washington, D.C. With Senior White House, OMB Officials
BISMARCK, N.D. - Gov. John Hoeven this week met with senior White House and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) officials in Washington, D.C. to push for 2005 funding for the Northwest Area Water Supply project, the Grand Forks Dike project and a Theodore Roosevelt Elkhorn Ranch preserve. Hoeven is working to ensure that funding for the projects is included in next year’s budget, which will soon be released by the administration.
“These projects were underfunded this year, but working with the White House and Congress, we got the funding to move them forward,” Hoeven said.
The $145 million NAWS project will provide fresh drinking water to more than 63,000 residents in 11 northwest North Dakota counties. Phase 1 of the project was completed last year, and Phase 2 will be completed this fall. The completed project will bring water to Minot by 2007.
Hoeven is pushing the administration to complete the Grand Forks Dike project by 2006 to coincide with completion of the city’s flood plain remapping project. Coordinating the two projects could save Grand Forks residents and businesses more than $12 million in annual flood insurance premiums.
The Governor also reported progress on his effort to create a state preserve at the Elkhorn Ranch, the site of former President Theodore Roosevelt’s cattle operation in North Dakota. Hoeven’s plan protects the view shed of the ranch while allowing for the multiple uses of outlying land to accommodate hunting, grazing, hiking and energy, as well as other recreational and commercial activities. The meeting comes after the National Park Service last week announced it would work with the state to jointly protect the natural, scientific and historic value of the site.
“Both administration officials and the National Park Service are working with the state to jointly develop a plan that will protect the historic integrity of the site and allow for multiple uses,” Hoeven said.
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