News Releases for April 2006
April 13, 2006
For further information, please Contact the Governor's Office
State Supporting Northeastern North Dakota Flood Fight
BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. John Hoeven, State Engineer Dale Frink and Division of Homeland Security Director Greg Wilz worked today with local Pembina officials to prepare for possible flooding in the northern Red River Valley. Earlier, Hoeven and state and local officials toured the area by land and air.
Hoeven Wednesday activated National Guard troops and equipment to help address Red River flooding north of Grand Forks to the border. The National Guard mobilized three tractor-trailers, two dozers, one loader and four 20-ton dump trucks to assist with flood flight efforts in the Pembina-Cavalier areas. Fourteen soldiers are currently on State Active Duty and are transporting and positioning sandbags, constructing a dike in south Pembina and monitoring area dikes.
Prior to traveling to Pembina County to assist with flood efforts there, Hoeven, Frink and Wilz were in Devils Lake to prepare for spring flooding in the Devils Lake Basin. They met with local and county officials at the State Flood Coordination Center meeting, which focused on the state's three-part strategy: to retain water in the Upper Basin, to mitigate the impact of flooding around the lake, and to operate the outlet.
"We need to continue keeping everyone working together to stabilize Devils Lake, not only for the benefit of the people in the Basin, but those in the Upper Basin and downstream, as well," Hoeven said.
Last fall, the State Water Commission began operating an outlet on Devils Lake to relieve the flooding there and on neighboring Stump Lake, and that effort will continue, according to Hoeven.
E-mail comments to the Governor