Peace Garden News

Senator John Hoeven has achieved committee approval for his bill to amend the Dakota Water Resources Act (DWRA). The legislation aims to enhance water supply reliability in North Dakota and address federal compensation commitments made during the construction of the Garrison Dam and Oahe Dam. This development advances the bill to the full Senate for further consideration.

“North Dakota was promised over a million acres of irrigation as compensation for the loss of approximately 550,000 acres of prime farm land permanently flooded by the creation of the Garrison and Oahe reservoirs, and this legislation will ensure that promise is kept,” said Hoeven. “Our bill helps ensure our communities have water to meet our long-term needs by providing the necessary funding authorizations to support water supply projects across the state, like NAWS and ENDAWS. That’s critical, as ENDAWS will deliver water from the Missouri River to the Red River Valley, ensuring more reliable water supplies for our communities and supporting the state’s long-term growth.”

The proposed amendments include increasing authorizations under North Dakota's Municipal, Rural, and Industrial (MR&I) water supply grant program. As fiscal year 2024 concludes, an increase in authorization is needed to complete projects such as NAWS and ENDAWS.

Another focus is on fully accounting for biota water treatment (BWT) costs. Although DWRA authorized funding for BWT facilities' non-reimbursable costs, it did not specify an authorization ceiling. Consequently, North Dakota has had to use MR&I resources for federal responsibilities under the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909.

Hoeven's efforts have garnered support from Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Touton. He hosted Touton in North Dakota twice to discuss MR&I program issues and progress on state projects.

The legislation also has cosponsors: Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.). Congressman Kelly Armstrong introduced a companion bill in the House.

Supportive letters come from various stakeholders including tribal nations like Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara Nation; Standing Rock Sioux Tribe; Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa; Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate; along with entities such as North Dakota Department of Water Resources and Lake Agassiz Water Authority.