701-566-9300The recent Joint North Dakota Water Convention was an excellent opportunity to meet and interact with attendees in different roles from various water resource districts and rural water systems to learn about and receive updates on water projects, issues, and needs. Here are some highlights.
Andrea Travnicek, Ph.D., the director of the Department of Water Resources (DWR), gave an overview on the state of water in North Dakota including the budget, pending projects, department priorities, and legislative funding or priorities. She reminded attendees that 20.5 % of the oil extraction tax goes into the resources trust fund. DWR is working on the water development plan and is asking the legislature for $1.4 billion in the next biennium including for regional water supply, flood control, rural water supply and general water. Andrea emphasized that DWR is working with the State Water Commission to modernize the state cost share program and the goal to spend the dollars across the state where they need to go. Water aquifers permitting is slowing down and permits might not be available when necessary to protect prior uses. DWR is looking at aquifer recharging capabilities.
The convention received an update from Senator Ron Sorvaag and Representative Mike Nathe on legislative priorities for rural and municipal water in the upcoming legislative session. Both these legislators chair the water appropriation committees or budgets in the Senate and House respectively. They spoke at length about the ever-increasing importance of bonding for large water projects as occurred with the Fargo Moorhead Diversion project which freed up $66 million a biennium to help with funding all the other projects. In addition, bonding for the Mouse River Flood Control and the Red River Valley Water Supply could make available an additional $100 to $150 million per biennium for important state and rural water projects, while significantly moving forward all the other projects. These legislators emphasized to water users the value and necessity of visiting with their local legislators at every opportunity, educating them about the importance of our water needs, including promoting and advocating for bonding large water projects.
Senator John Hoeven, Senator KevinCramer, Representative-Elect Julie Fedorchak, and Governor-Elect Armstrong provided messages to the convention. Each of their comments indicated they are attentive to and advocating for North Dakota water users’ needs, whether concerning the North Dakota Waters Resources Act and Missouri River, FM Diversion or Mouse River Flood Control.
In addition, there were very informative legislative and other updates about the Red River Valley Water Supply, Northwest Area Water Supply, Western Area Water Supply, and Southwest Project Pipeline, as well as the FM Diversion and Mouse River Flood Control. Finally, there was a good presentation on the role of water in economic development which discussed the importance of water in economic development including, for example, attracting new opportunities or entities like data centers. The discussion emphasized the value of using resource contacts and the necessity of timely cross-communications between local and state officials and economic development staff.
Happy Holidays to each of you and your families, and I wish you joy, success, and prosperity in the new year!