News Releases for April 2004
April 16, 2004
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Hoeven: State Will Provide Funding To Repair Garrison Water Intake
BISMARCK, N.D. - Gov. John Hoeven today said the state would award the City of Garrison a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) in the amount of $171,000 for the repair of the city’s water intake system. The Department of Commerce, Division of Community Services is providing the money from the governor’s discretionary fund. The grant is expected to cover the entire cost of the repair going forward, according to City Auditor Diane Affeldt.
“Garrison’s water shortage has resulted in financial and human hardship for the city and surrounding rural communities,” Hoeven said. “Our various agencies have worked hard to bring relief to the people of Garrison, including today’s funding for a permanent fix.”
The city will now meet with its engineering firm, Houston Engineering of Bismarck, to select a contractor for the repair, which is expected to take two to three weeks. Completion is expected by early summer, according to Affeldt.
“On behalf of the citizens of the City of Garrison, Garrison City Council and Garrison Rural Water Customers, we would like to extend the city’s greatest appreciation to Governor Hoeven and all his staff for assisting us financially and emotionally during our water emergency,” Affeldt said. “I would also like to thank the Interagency Hazard Mitigation Team, consisting of the Department of Health, Division of Emergency Management, Division of Community Services and USDA Rural Development for being so helpful and understanding. Without the these funds the community would continue to experience real hardship.”
Hoeven said, “The city has also expended $114,000 to date for emergency efforts and a temporary fix. We continue to work toward getting that reimbursed from either the Army Corps of Engineers or USDA Rural Development.”
The city’s water intake system from Lake Sakakawea to a treatment plant failed on March 4, affecting about 1,800 city and rural residents. A temporary fix involving a secondary water pipe and pump has been installed in the lake as a backup.
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