02.06.15

Hoeven Announces Nearly $17 Million in Bureau of Reclamation Funding for Rural, Tribal Water Projects

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today announced that the Bureau of Reclamation has awarded the Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program, Garrison Diversion Unit in North Dakota an additional $10.3 million in funding to build and improve water supply systems in a number of North Dakota and tribal communities. The senator said that with a previous $6.5 million Bureau of Reclamation award for rural water, North Dakota will receive nearly $17 million for essential water supply projects.

Hoeven serves on the U.S. Senate Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee, which oversees funding for the Bureau of Reclamation.

“Water grants like these help to build vital infrastructure, which is important not only for quality of life in our rural communities, but also to keep their farms, ranches and businesses vibrant and healthy,” Hoeven said.

The $10.3 million in funding will be used to build the:

  • Standing Rock Selfridge rural water distribution system project
  • Spirit Lake Fort Totten system upgrade
  • Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Highway 43, Corridor 2, Phase 2 pipeline distribution project
  • Trenton Indian Service Area booster station replacement project 

The funding will also be used to advance Southwest Pipeline projects, including:

  • Reservoirs at Davis Butte and Richardton
  • A water pipeline from Lake Sakakawea to the Oliver, Mercer, North Dunn Water Treatment Plant
  • A sludge handling facility for the new Dickinson Water Treatment Plant.

The funding is part of a $97 million appropriation to the Bureau of Reclamation for a variety of uses, including rural water supply, conservation, drought response and other important water projects. Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program, Garrison Diversion Unit Funds are provided for financial assistance to the State of North Dakota for municipal, rural, and industrial water projects; for development of tribal municipal, rural, and industrial water and irrigation facilities; for work at several wildlife refuges; and for operation and maintenance of completed project facilities.

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