04.18.11

Army Corps OKs Plan to Protect Minnewaukan

Approval Allows Corps to Take Measures to Protect Community from Rising Waters of Devils Lake

Washington - Senators Kent Conrad and John Hoeven and Congressman Rick Berg today announced that final approval has been secured from the Army Corps of Engineers for Advanced Protective Measures for Minnewaukan.  Local officials requested assistance from the Corps to protect the Minnewaukan Public School and the community from Devils Lake which is rising and encroaching on their community.

The delegation noted that this approval means construction can begin to provide necessary protection for this area.  Once started, construction would take several weeks.

Devils Lake has risen by about 30 feet and quadrupled in size since 1993.  The Corps has been developing a plan to provide protection to the school and other parts of the community until the relocation can occur.  Now that the plan has been approved, the Corps can begin the project.

In addition, a total of $5.8 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding has been allocated for the relocation. The community will be using the funds for relocation of residents and sewer system modifications.

The community has chosen a new site for the school, a 17 acre plot about 1.5 miles north of present site and on the west side of Highway 281.  The plan is to have the structure enclosed before winter this year with the goal to be ready for students for the 2012-2013 school year.