Sewer and water projects affecting Lake Metigoshe State Park and the International Peace Garden came away from the recent legislative session with state dollars in the Parks and Recreation budget.

The state will be contributing to a Lake Metigoshe Sewer District improvement project as a customer of that district while also supporting a water and sewer study, music camp building improvements and conservatory construction costs at the Peace Garden.

Sen. Paul Thomas, R-Velva, said he introduced a bill that would have appropriated $1 million for the state’s share of the Lake Metigoshe sewer project, but the bill was rolled into the Parks and Recreation budget . As better cost numbers were developed, the amount was reduced to $800,000.

The Lake Metigoshe Sewer District is an independent district that charges cabin owners, businesses and other customers a monthly or yearly fee. Lake Metigoshe State Park, owned by the state, pays an annual fee as a customer.

The sewer district needs to put in a new pump station, redo pipelines and add a cell because of the load demand on the system, Thomas said. During the last few summer seasons, the district has had to haul sewage by truck because the pump stations cannot keep up during busy times.

The project, estimated at just under $4 million, is to be assessed to users. Because the water source is private wells, there is no measurement of water being used to determine the amount of water entering into the sewer system, Thomas said. By analyzing the pumping hours associated with the section of the system to be upgraded, it was determined that about 18-22% of the usage is attributed to the Lake Metigoshe State Park in a year.

The Legislature approved contributing $800,000 or 20% of the project cost, whichever is less. Thomas said the state would make a lump sum payment, saving on interest costs.

It also was discovered the state is paying significantly less, based on usage, than other customers. On the other hand, Thomas said, Lake Metigoshe State Park generates economic activity that brings value to the area. Overall, the amount settled on by the Legislature took those factors into consideration, he said.

“It was the fair amount, and I think it would have been unfair for the state not to participate in that project,” he said. “If the state owns a property there and is using the system, they should contribute their fair share, just like everyone else does.”

The Peace Garden requested funds for a water, sewer and irrigation master development plan, costing $500,000, as it looks to hook up to the Turtle Mountain Water System. Thomas said the state agreed to $250,000, with Manitoba asked to contribute the remaining $250,000.

The study will visualize the sewer pipelines with a camera system. It will investigate whether coming into the Turtle Mountain Water System will require updating any old pipelines to handle the system’s operating pressure. It also will consider whether wells might be retained for irrigation.

Thomas said the Peace Garden anticipates the study could take a year. Funding for improvements suggested by the study could be considered by the 2027 Legislature, he said.

Additionally, the Legislature appropriated $1.4 million, to be matched by Manitoba, to update several music camp buildings that have needs such as new windows, doors or roofing, Thomas said.

“This is just to bring that International Music Camp up to a modern day standard and efficiency and get rid of a lot of that maintenance that’s starting to really break their budgets,” he said.

Tim Chapman, chief executive director for the Peace Garden, said much of the music camp infrastructure is showing its age.

“We want to make sure that the camp is as sustainable as possible for decades to come,” he said. When camp is not in session, the Peace Garden rents the facilities, which generates revenue and helps with the Peace Garden’s sustainability, he said.

The Legislature approved $317,500, to be matched by Manitoba, for completion of the conservatory project. Thomas said an appropriation was made in 2021, but inflation has increased costs. The additional funds will finish paying for that project, he said.

He added the state received a letter during the session from Manitoba, stating its governing body had approved $1 million to the music camp and conservatory projects but was waiting on the North Dakota Legislature’s decisions before finalizing its appropriation.

Chapman said the Peace Garden organization is appreciative and grateful to both North Dakota and Manitoba for supporting one-time funding for major improvements needed for the future of the Peace Garden.

“It’s such a unique place that’s important for both of the countries,” he said.