DORGAN SAYS HISTORIC INVESTMENT IN GARRISON DIVERSION WILL PUT WATER PROJECTS ON FAST TRACK
Senator secures $70 million for Garrison, including $8 million for NAWS
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
CONTACT: Justin Kitsch
or Brenden Timpe
PHONE: 202-224-2551
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) announced Tuesday that as author of the legislation that will fund the nation’s water infrastructure projects for the next year, he has included an historic $70 million in federal funding for the Garrison Diversion that will give a boost to the Northwest Area Water Supply (NAWS) project. He said the funding will ensure the federal government continues to quickly fulfill the promises it made to North Dakota more than 60 years ago.
The Senate Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee unveiled and approved its appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2009 today. As Chairman of the Subcommittee, Dorgan is responsible for writing the bill and shepherding it through the Senate.
The $70 million included by Dorgan is more than double the annual appropriation the Garrison Diversion has received in typical years past. Dorgan said the funding will mean residents of rural North Dakota will see a significant increase in the speed of construction of drinking water infrastructure such as the NAWS, which will get $8 million in federal funding under the bill.
“The federal government made a commitment to North Dakota many years ago that it has taken too long to fulfill,” Dorgan said. “We accepted the permanent flood that came as a result of the Garrison Diversion, and now it’s time our citizens received the benefits they were promised. A safe, reliable supply of water is the most basic need of any community. This funding is an investment in our communities and the future of rural North Dakota.”
Dorgan’s bill also includes $500,000 in federal funding to upgrade docks and extend boat ramps around Lake Sakakawea. Dorgan said the project will ensure the public has recreational access to the lake, even when water levels are low.
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