Hoeven Outlines Major Milestones in Permanently Protecting Souris River Valley from Flooding

Senator Helps Dedicate Latest Completed Phase, Marks Significant Progress on Maple Diversion, Which is Authorized and Fully Funded

MINOT, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today outlined major milestones in permanently protecting the Minot region against the threat of flooding, as he joined federal, state and local leaders in dedicating Phase MI-1 of the project, which includes the Broadway Pump Station and the 4th Avenue floodwalls. The senator stressed the importance of the recent progress made on the Maple Diversion, the project’s fourth phase, as it serves as the capstone for the other phases of Milestone 1 and ultimately provides flood protection to 60 percent of the region.

Earlier this year, Hoeven worked to secure $61.45 million for the Maple Diversion, following his successful efforts with Senator Cramer to authorize the project. With this award in place, Hoeven has: 

• Fully funded phase 4, enabling the Army Corps of Engineers to complete its design and allowing the bidding process for its construction to proceed. 
• Helped provide more than $750 million of federal funding to date in grants, loans and direct assistance to help the region recover from the 2011 flood and protect against the risk of future flooding.

“This permanent flood protection project is essential to the future of the Souris River Valley, and we are keeping it moving forward,” said Hoeven. “Each completed phase is good news for Minot and the surrounding communities, and we appreciate the hard work of everyone involved in achieving today’s milestone. Further, with the fourth phase fully funded, authorized and underway, we are on course to secure flood protection for the majority of the region. The more than $61 million we provided for the Maple Diversion was a crucial step, but our work isn’t done. We will continue our efforts to secure the funding needed to protect the entire region.”

At the same time, Hoeven continues working to help identify funding sources for the future phases of the project. To this end, the senator previously: 

• Secured a $9.8 million Defense Community Infrastructure Program (DCIP) award to support phase 5, the 4th Avenue tieback levee system in northeastern Minot.
  • The funding enables the construction of approximately 2,400 feet of new floodwall, one removable closure through the floodwall and approximately 2,100 feet of municipal roadway reconstruction.
• Organized meetings in 2018 and 2019 with a wide range of federal, state and local officials to ensure Minot can access federal support when constructing the upcoming phases of the flood protection project. 

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