Congressional package benefits Minot

Bill includes flood project authorization, resilience program extension

Good news for Minot is coming in a year-end spending package that Congress is expected to soon pass.

The package includes authorization for a major piece of the Mouse River Enhanced Flood Protection Project, and it extends the deadline for Minot's National Disaster Resilience Program by a year.

The authorization for the flood project opens the door to potential federal funding for the Maple Diversion through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The authorization is a key step that comes as the result of a signed chief's report following a $1.3 million project feasibility study. Lt. Gen. Todd Semonite, then chief of the Corps, was in Minot last year for the report signing ceremony. Sen. John Hoeven, R-ND, since secured support from Maj. Gen. Scott Spellmon during his recent confirmation process as chief.

"This is a critical part of our efforts to protect the Minot region from the risk of flooding," Hoeven said in a news release. "With this authorization, we will continue working with Chief Spellmon and others to ensure the project's fourth phase is funded in future Army Corps work plans. At the same time, this legislation gives Minot additional time to utilize disaster recovery and resiliency funding we had previously secured."

The resilience program has a deadline of Sept. 30, 2022, for spending federal grant awards on projects to create disaster resilience. Minot is working on projects that include a new city hall, a career and technical education center, a family emergency shelter, property buyouts for flood control, affordable housing and resilient neighborhoods.

"This is very significant. It's extremely beneficial for the city," John Zakian, Minot's resilience program manager. "The one-year extension means that we are now in a comfortable position to be able to spend the entire $74.3 million and have sufficient time to make sure that everything is done effectively and we are not rushing anything. It also gives us the additional time necessary, especially with COVID-19 creating some headwinds, to make sure there are no unforeseen delays that cause us to miss the deadline."

Although communities in the National Disaster Resilience Program had sought a three-year extension, it is a win to get the additional year, Zakian said.

"The work Sen. Hoeven and his staff did to get the one-year extension is fantastic and took a lot of effort," he said. He added Sen. Kevin Cramer and Congressman Kelly Armstrong, both R-ND, also provided strong support.

Cramer, chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Water, secured the inclusion of the flood project authorization and other key language for North Dakota in the Water Resources Development Act.

"Our water infrastructure legislation delivers several wins for North Dakota communities and sets up America for long-term success," Cramer said. "It creates jobs, invests in local water projects, and provides the clear direction and oversight the Army Corps of Engineers needs."

The act requires the Corps to reassess its current Interim Risk Reduction measures for projects like the Snake Creek Embankment. The Corps will have to reassess the Water Control Plan Environmental Assessment to account for irrigation and eastern North Dakota water supplies.

The act requires the Corps to work with communities like Williston, which is seeking accreditation for a levee operated and maintained by the Corps. It also prohibits surplus water fees in Upper Missouri Mainstem Reservoirs for four more years.

The Terrestrial Noxious Weed Control Demonstration Program in the act directs the Corps to partner with interested parties to identify and develop improved strategies to manage the reoccurring issue of noxious weeds.