Source: United States Senator for North Dakota John Hoeven
WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement after a federal court rejected a lawsuit brought by the State of Missouri against the Central North Dakota Water Supply Project. The decision enables the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) to move forward with a water service contract for the project to 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.
Today’s decision follows Hoeven’s efforts to secure approval of the contract. This includes arranging a meeting between Garrison Diversion Conservancy District officials and then-Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke in 2018, as well as working to ensure BOR promptly completed the required environmental assessment for the contract.
“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.”
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