(Fargo, North Dakota – September 18, 2024) This week, Senators John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer of North Dakota introduced legislation to provide funding for conservation and water projects in the state. Representative Kelly Armstrong introduced the bill in the House of Representatives. The Dakota Water Resources Act (DWRA) amends an earlier version of the bill to increase water supply grant program funding for North Dakota and five Tribal Nations.
"Our legislation...ensure[s] sufficient funding authorizations to support water supply projects across the state. I appreciate [Bureau of Reclamation] Commissioner Touton for her continued willingness to work with us on these important issues and her support of moving this bill forward.” said Senator Hoeven.
The DWRA provides funding for ongoing water supply projects, funding for rural water districts, as well as an increase for the North Dakota Natural Resources Trust, which provides cost-sharing programs for landowners, educational grants, and long-term conservation. The Acts also follows through on agreements to the state as well as five Tribal Nations upon completion of the Garrison and Oahe Dams on the Missouri River.
In a statement, Senator Cramer said: “This legislation is crucial for securing safe and dependable water supplies for North Dakota’s communities and Tribal nations. These amendments will fulfill a debt owed to North Dakota by the federal government for damming up the Missouri river. It will also help ensure we can complete critical water infrastructure projects and address pressing needs across the state.”
The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation have all released letters of support for the legislation.
“Audubon Great Plains is grateful for the work of these representatives to ensure that the people of North Dakota have the natural resources they rely on and that the birds of North Dakota will continue to have thriving habitats across the state,” said Kristal Stoner, Audubon Great Plains Executive Director. “We are pleased with the comprehensive approach toward conservation and stewardship, that includes support for the first nations natural resources and infrastructure. We thank Senators Hoeven and Cramer along with Representative Armstrong for their commitment and urge Congressional Leadership to follow in their example.”
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Melissa Amarawardana, Melissa.Amarawardana@audubon.org, 402.999.3404
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