04.17.17

Hoeven Marks 20th Anniversary of 1997 Red River Flood, Helps Break Ground on Permanent Flood Protection for the Region

HORACE, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today joined local leaders in the metro area to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the 1997 flood in the Red River Valley. The ceremony included a groundbreaking for the construction of the inlet structure for Fargo-Moorhead’s permanent flood protection. The Army Corps of Engineers awarded the first contract for construction of the flood protection in December, which Hoeven announced.

“Emergency measures are not enough to protect lives and property against the annual threat of flooding in the Red River Valley,” Hoeven said. “We need comprehensive flood protection for the whole region to safeguard against the damage and loss like we saw in 1997. The groundbreaking in Fargo-Moorhead is another step in our larger effort to provide regional protection. Doing so will provide certainty for our communities while also demonstrating an innovative approach that will help us to build much-needed infrastructure across our nation in a more timely and cost-effective manner.”

Hoeven has worked throughout his tenure in the U.S. Senate to advance comprehensive flood protection for North Dakota’s communities. He wrote and secured language in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 funding bill that authorized the new construction start for Fargo-Moorhead, which the Army Corps subsequently included in its FY2016 work plan. 

Hoeven also recently arranged a meeting with Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Mick Mulvaney and Fargo-Moorhead leaders to secure funding for comprehensive flood protection for the Red River Valley in the Army Corps of Engineers FY2017 work plan, which OMB must approve, as well as the president’s final FY2018 budget. The senator continues working as a member of the Energy and Water Appropriations Committee to ensure the Corps has the funding it needs to construct the flood protection.

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