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Court decision favors Central ND Water Supply project

WASHINGTON – A federal court has rejected a lawsuit brought by the State of Missouri against the Central North Dakota Water Supply Project, enabling the Bureau of Reclamation to move forward with a water service contract for the project, according to Sens. John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer.

The project would receive up to 20 cubic feet per second of water from the McClusky Canal, helping provide a municipal, rural and industrial water supply for Burleigh, Sheridan, Wells, Foster, Kidder, McLean and Stutsman counties.

“This federal court decision is welcome news, as it helps reduce legal uncertainty for the Central North Dakota Water Supply Project and will enable our state to make good use of water from the McClusky Canal,” Hoeven said. “Moving forward, we will continue working with Garrison Diversion and the administration to help ensure a fair price for this contract, allowing for an affordable and more reliable water supply for communities across these seven counties.”

Missouri’s lawsuit was without merit and would have significantly and unnecessarily interrupted North Dakota’s water supply efforts in the middle of a serious drought,” Cramer said. “I am glad it was thrown out and look forward to working with the Bureau of Reclamation and relevant local agencies to advance all of the important North Dakota projects to utilize Missouri River water without the threat of needless litigation.”

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