(NDAgConnection.com) – At the North Dakota State Water Commission (SWC) meeting chaired by Lt. Gov. Brent Sanford Thursday, the SWC approved $4.3 million in cost-share requests. The SWC voted to approve funding for several municipal, regional and rural water supply projects, as well as projects related to flood control and general water.
The SWC supports local sponsors in development of sustainable water-related projects in North Dakota through the Department of Water Resources (DWR) Cost-Share Program. The primary purpose of the DWR Cost-Share Program is to assist local project sponsors with financial support of water development projects — making them more affordable to local constituents.
“These projects support the development of critical infrastructure that will help meet the water supply, flood protection and safety needs of North Dakotans across our state,” Sanford said. “We appreciate the Water Commission members and Department of Water Resources team for continuing to drive these important infrastructure projects with local and regional partners.”
One of several important project approvals was $355,106 for engineering and design efforts for the Neche Flood Protection System. The city of Neche’s current flood control system consists of an outdated and undersized levee, an aging pump station and other project elements that need significant improvements to limit damages from overland floodwaters and the Pembina River. The purpose of the project is to complete a Federal Emergency Management Agency accredited levee system under the National Flood Insurance Program that will protect residents, increase public safety and reduce frequent flood preparation demands on emergency services. When completed, this project will also reduce the need for flood insurance requirements for Neche residents.
“The Water Commission’s approval of preconstruction funding for the city of Neche is a critical next step for that community in their efforts to pursue long-term flood protection,” said Andrea Travnicek, DWR Director. “The Commission and DWR continue to demonstrate their support of projects that improve North Dakota’s resiliency to both flooding and drought — with the Neche flood protection project being one more important example.”
Another notable cost-share approval was $588,750 for preconstruction efforts related to Ward County’s Low Head Dams Remediation project. This project affects five low head dams on the Mouse River near population centers in Minot and Burlington and will greatly improve human safety by eliminating the hydraulic roller effect these dams currently induce. All five dams were identified in the DWR low head dam inventory with a risk ranking of three or four (out of a maximum of five).
DWR staff also informed the SWC about the construction issues experienced on the Southwest Pipeline project’s supplementary intake contract. Commissioners were notified that construction will be halted for the winter which will result in the delay in completion of the contract.
Commission members also worked on proposed changes to their cost-share policy and project prioritization guidance documents. In response to public input received, including comments provided during eight Commissioner-hosted meetings that were held around the state, the most recent modification of policy was considered and discussed by the Commissioners.
The 10-member SWC consists of Gov. Doug Burgum as chairman, Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring and eight members appointed by the governor to serve six-year terms.