News Releases for May 2005
May 18, 2005
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Hoeven Hosts Discussion With Sec. Woodley On Water Levels In Missouri River System
BISMARCK, N.D. - Gov. John Hoeven today hosted a roundtable discussion with U.S. Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works John Paul Woodley Jr. on low water levels in the Missouri River system. Joining Hoeven and Woodley were representatives from the Three Affiliated Tribes, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, ND Department of Health, Voices of Oahe, Friends of Lake Sakakawea, ND Game and Fish Department, ND Parks and Recreation Department and the ND Irrigation Association.
“Upper basin states have borne a heavy burden so that the Corps can help barge traffic in downstream states,” Hoeven said. “It is important for the Corps to realize the many different impacts low water levels have on our economy and the people of North Dakota.”
The Governor said that the Army Corps of Engineers reduction of the downstream navigation season to 61 days is a step in the right direction, but does not go far enough. The downstream states need to realize that if the reservoir levels keep declining in the upper basin, the Master Manual will call for a navigation preclude, which means there will be no releases to support the navigation season next year.
“For years we have been talking about the impact of low water levels on our state’s economy through declining fishing and tourism,” Hoeven said. “Now this has become a safety issue due to loss of water to schools, hospitals and homes in multiple communities in our state.”
Hoeven said that the State Water Commission and the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services are working to help communities with water supplies threatened by low water levels. The state Game and Fish, and Parks and Recreation departments are also spending tremendous resources to build and expand boat ramps to enable access to Lake Sakakawea and Lake Oahe.
On a related matter, the Corps has indicated that it is evaluating transfer of shoreline property to the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Hoeven emphasized that the state has serious concerns about any proposal by the Corps to transfer ownership of the lakeshore. He said that the Corps has a responsibility and obligation to support recreation and access to recreation around the lake and that must continue. All private and state, as well as other public interests including tribal interests, must be considered.
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