News Releases for November 2003
November 25, 2003
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Hoeven Proclaims Water Emergency For Fort Yates
Governor Directs Additional Emergency Assistance To Community
BISMARCK, N.D. - Gov. John Hoeven today proclaimed a water emergency on the Missouri River in response to a critical water shortage on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation. Emergency proclamations have now been issued for both Lake Oahe and Lake Sakakawea. Hoeven issued an emergency declaration for Parshall on November 7. In addition to Fort Yates, also at risk are the communities of Cannonball and Porcupine, which receive water from a congested Lake Oahe water intake pipe, the suspected cause of the shortage.
“Low water levels on both Sakakawea and Oahe are impacting not just our recreation industry, but also the vital drinking water supply of our communities,” Hoeven said. “Because of the Army Corps of Engineers’ management of the river, more than 5,000 North Dakotans are confronting a risk to the health and security of their drinking water supply. We will continue to pursue our current legal challenge to the Corps’ management of the river, and in addition we explore a new suit that their management practices are impacting a vital use of the Missouri River.”
The federal Bureau of Reclamation is working to install a pump and an overland temporary water supply pipe to the water treatment plant at Fort Yates to address the immediate problem. Once the pipe is operational, the North Dakota Department of Health will work to ensure the safety of the water supply. The National Guard will help provide the community with potable water until the water supply is determined to be safe for consumption.
A diver this morning was unsuccessful in locating the water plant’s permanent intake pipe, which authorities suspect is buried under silt due to low water levels. Locating the intake is necessary to determine a long-term remedy for congestion in the pipe.
Hoeven today dispatched additional state resources to Fort Yates in support of the community’s mitigation and repair efforts. The National Guard brought five, 400-gallon water trucks to the site for drinking water, and one additional 6,000-gallon tank were dispatched to secure hot water heating systems in the community.
Yesterday, Hoeven sent National Guard troops with two, 6,000-gallon Department of Transportation trucks to the site with water for use in hot water heating systems. The National Guard will continue to help provide the community with water for both heat and public consumption until the water treatment facility is functioning. At the request of State Health Officer Dr. Terry Dwelle, ambulance services in surrounding communities agreed to be on standby for emergency transport to Bismarck and McLaughlin, S.D.
In addition, Hoeven has sent North Dakota Indian Affairs Commissioner Cheryl Kulas to Fort Yates. Other state agencies involved in the effort are the Division of Emergency Management, the North Dakota National Guard, the North Dakota Department of Transportation, the North Dakota State Water Commission and the North Dakota Department of Health.
“We continue to work with tribal authorities and federal agencies to ensure that the citizens of Fort Yates and Parshall have a safe and adequate water supply, and just as important, that the problem does not spread to surrounding communities,” Hoeven said.
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