02.17.17

Hoeven Announces More Than $1.2 Million FEMA Grant for Fargo to Help Flood-Proof Waste Water Treatment Plant

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven, a member of the Senate Appropriations and Homeland Security Committees, today announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded $1,213,213.50 to the City of Fargo to help protect the city’s waste water treatment plant from flooding. Specifically, today’s funds are the latest phase in a series of awards that will provide wet weather flow relief for the Broadway Interceptor Sanitary Sewer Overflow (SSO) to help minimize the risk of sanitary sewer backup.

“We are working to build permanent flood protection for Fargo-Moorhead,” Hoeven said. “This includes preparing Fargo and its vital infrastructure to withstand flooding. Today’s funds will help keep Fargo residents healthy and safe in the event of a flood because, when the project is completed, the city will be able to continue to process sewage with minimal risk of a backup.”

Today’s grant, part of FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, will cover 75 percent of the total cost to flood-proof the Fargo Waste Water Treatment Plant. This builds on Hoeven’s efforts to secure funding for and commitment from the Army Corps of Engineers to build permanent flood protection for the Red River Valley.

Last month, Hoeven emphasized in a meeting with newly confirmed Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Mick Mulvaney the importance of North Dakota flood protection projects. OMB has to approve Army Corps of Engineer projects such as constructing permanent flood protection. 

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