NAWS water project should continue despite lawsuit
POSTED: May 1, 2008
Aaah, it must be spring.
Two sure signs of spring are readily apparent in the Minot area: Road construction on Broadway and the beginnings of the 2008 season’s work on the Northwest Area Water Supply Project.
While both projects can be an inconvenience at times to motorists, landowners and business owners, the projects will ultimately make Minot a better place to live.
The NAWS project will also make several area town better places, as well, as the project will bring Missouri River water from Lake Sakakawea to smaller cities such as Kenmare, Berthold and Mohall.
Work rightfully continues on NAWS despite an ongoing lawsuit against the project by the Canadian government. A final Environmental Impact Statement is due later this year. A comment period on the draft EIS ended in late March, with 39 comments received. Most comments supported the “no action” alternative, meaning they supported an existing plan that would build a disinfection facility near Max and fully treating the water at Minot’s treatment plant. It’s the alternative that makes the most sense, both from an economical standpoint and an effectiveness standpoint.
We anticipate the final EIS will support the “no action” alternative, and the project can continue on its way to completion. It’s a vital part of any projected growth in the northwest corner of the state, and it shouldn’t be held up by a lawsuit after the state and others have already adequately addressed all the concerns in the lawsuit.
