01.21.21

Hoeven: Army Corps FY2021 Work Plan Includes $115 Million for Flood Protection in FM Region

Senator Secured Army Corps Construction Funding, Advanced Red River & Pipestem Projects with Chief Spellmon

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today announced that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 work plan includes the following North Dakota priorities: 

  • $115 million for construction of flood protection in the Fargo-Moorhead region.
  • $40 million to initiate construction of the Pipestem dam safety modification project.

Senator Hoeven now is working with the Corps to ensure that this funding can be combined with earlier funds to ensure that the Red River Control Structure can be completed on schedule. 

As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee on Energy and Water Development, Hoeven provided increased funding for the Corps’ construction account, enabling the Red River and Pipestem projects to be funded in the Corps’ work plan. Specifically, the senator secured $328 million above the president’s budget request for Corps construction efforts in FY2021 to help ensure the projects received support. Hoeven also advanced these priorities with Army Corps Chief Lt. Gen. Scott Spellmon during his confirmation process last year.

“This $115 million, when added to funding we’ve secured in recent years, demonstrates the Corps’ continued commitment to fund and complete the Red River control structure, the largest federal component of the project and a significant step towards delivering permanent flood protection for the region,” said Senator Hoeven. “We worked with the administration, including Corps Chief Spellmon, to ensure both the Red River and Pipestem projects were included in this year’s work plan. At the same time, we worked through the Appropriations Committee to ensure sufficient funding for the Corps’ construction account, and we will continue our efforts to ensure the Corps can to construct the rest of the project on schedule.”

“Senator Hoeven, and all of our federal delegation, continue to deliver for our community,” said Metro Flood Diversion Authority Board Member and Mayor of Fargo Tim Mahoney. “The Project is shovel ready and we can put these funds immediately to work.”

In addition, the Corps’ work plan provides nearly $6 million for small water infrastructure projects, including $2.9 million to the City of Strasburg for sanitary sewer improvements and $3 million to the City of Napoleon for sanitary sewer repair, new sewers and a perforated underdrain pipe. Hoeven has prioritized the Corps’ environmental infrastructure in annual appropriations bills to help smaller communities in North Dakota make needed improvements to their water and sewer systems.

Advancing Comprehensive Flood Protection for the Red River Valley

Today’s funding builds on Hoeven’s previous efforts to advance comprehensive flood protection for the Red River Valley. These include:

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