WASHINGTON (Senator Hoeven Office) – North Dakota Senators John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer introduced legislation to transfer the title for the Oakes Test Area, an irrigation research site, from the Bureau of Reclamation to the Dickey-Sargent Irrigation District. The local irrigation district continues to make use of the facility, but is unable to make modifications due to the required federal approval process.
Hoeven’s legislation would remove this hurdle by allowing the Dickey-Sargent Irrigation District to purchase the facility and its infrastructure, bringing the project to its full potential and adapt it for local needs. Hoeven said, ultimately this will reduce costs to taxpayers and prevent the facility from being abandoned.