News Releases for December 2003
December 5, 2003
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Hoeven: Water Commission Approves Major Funding For Devils Lake Outlet
BISMARCK, N.D. - Gov. John Hoeven today announced that the North Dakota State Water Commission has approved the expenditure of up to $19 million to construct North Dakota’s Devils Lake Outlet. The unanimous vote clears the way to begin bidding the remaining portions of the project.
“This is a critically important project for the people of the Devils Lake region and the State of North Dakota,” Hoeven said. “We must move forward with our plans to provide the kind of flood relief that is so urgently needed.”
Hoeven has outlined a three-pronged Devils Lake flood protection plan, which asks that all regions pull together for a balanced solution:
- Protecting infrastructure by raising roads, building dikes and moving homes and businesses.
- Upper basin management and utilization.
- Building an outlet.
Joe Belford, a spokesperson for the basin area, said “Despite the relatively dry weather of late, another major storm could result in an additional $100 million dollars in damages on top of the $400 million that has already occurred around Devils Lake. The community is in a vulnerable situation and we desperately need this help.”
State Engineer Dale Frink said, “We have all the proper permitting and have taken every precaution to address downstream issues in the design of this project and will continually monitor its operations to address all water quality and erosion issues.”
Construction expected in 2004 includes site grading, channel construction, pipelines, purchase and installation of pumps, and various control systems. Land acquisitions for right of way are ongoing. Total cost for the project is currently estimated at about $28 million. When completed, the project will move up to four inches of water a year off Devils Lake to the Sheyenne River. Devils Lake is currently at about 1446.3 feet above mean sea level.
“On behalf of the residents of the Devils Lake basin, we are very appreciative of the support provided by the State Water Commission,” Belford said. “I have said many times that the project must be built for the benefit of the whole region.”
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