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CITY, ND – (NewsDakota.com) A proposal to build an outlet to remove water from Hobart Lake and into the Sheyenne River is raising concerns from environmentalist.

Paul Stenshoel believes a study should be done before the moving forward to drain Hobart Lake. He told the Barnes County Commission there are landowners prepared to file legal action if the Barnes County Water Resource District moves forward to build this outlet.

But some landowners are upset they have to pay taxes on farmland that’s under water. Barry Borg is one of those, his property in on the east edge of Hobart Lake. He’s frustrated with how the county is handling this situation.

Retired Wildlife Research Biologist Gary Krapu believes western grebe nesting sites would be negatively affected for every foot of water removed from the Lake. He added that bird watchers from other states help the local economy. But Barry Borg questioned that claim.

The plan is to bury a pipe for three quarters of a mile with a half-a-mile of channel improvements to drain Hobart Lake water into the Sheyenne River.

The Barnes County Commission approved a letter of support for the $800,000 project that will use federal dollars through FEMA to drain Hobart Lake water into the river.

Commissioner John Froehlich says the estimated cost of the proposed Hobart Lake outlet to Barnes County is $130,000 to $150,000.