News Releases for April 2007
April 04, 2007
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Hoeven Declares Drought Emergency, Requests Federal Water Supply Assistance For Local Communities
BISMARCK, N.D. - Gov. John Hoeven issued a Missouri River Drought Emergency Declaration and wrote to federal officials requesting assistance for Missouri River communities impacted by low water levels on the river system. The drought declaration follows earlier declarations the Governor issued in November 2003 and March 2005 due to drought and its impact on Western North Dakota.
In letters to the Army Corp of Engineers, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Hoeven asked agency officials to provide assistance to maintain drinking water intakes for communities and rural water systems impacted by the drought, and the Corps specifically for aid with boat ramps, docks and other mitigation efforts.
“I am requesting temporary drought assistance to the areas contiguous to the Missouri River within the State of North Dakota, and urge you to determine that such assistance is merited,” Hoeven wrote. “Lake and river intakes for North Dakota communities and rural water systems are negatively impacted by low water levels due to the lingering drought. The resources of my office and the State stand ready to assist you in making a determination.”
Last week, Hoeven declared a water shortage emergency for the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation, where residents were under a boil order due to low water pressure and quality issues.
“We will continue to advocate for federal disaster assistance to support our communities and industries that have been impacted from a lack of water resulting from the drought and management of the Missouri River system,” Hoeven said.
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