09.25.21

Hoeven, Minot Officials Hold Signing Ceremony to Finalize $9.8 Million DoD Award for Regional Flood Protection

Senator Identified DCIP Opportunity, Worked to Secure Approval of Minot Proposal

MINOT, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today joined Minot city officials at a signing ceremony to finalize and formally accept the $9.8 million Defense Community Infrastructure Program (DCIP) award for the region’s flood protection project. The funding will support the fifth phase of the region’s flood protection project, the 4th Avenue tieback levee system in northeastern Minot, and enable the construction of approximately 2,400 feet of new floodwall, one removable closure through the floodwall and approximately 2,100 feet of municipal roadway reconstruction.

Hoeven began advancing the DCIP funding opportunity following a hearing of the Senate Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Committee in May. Specifically, the senator:

  • Made the case to military leaders that the 2011 flood posed a significant national security risk, as it inundated and damaged roadways that the 91st Missile Wing uses to access its fleet of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). 
  • Worked with Department of Defense (DoD) officials to identify funding sources that could be utilized to mitigate the risk of future flooding.
  • Coordinated efforts between local leaders and officials at the Minot Air Force Base to ensure a strong DCIP application and pressed DoD to approve the Minot proposal.

“The Minot Air Force Base plays a critical role in our national defense, and this $9.8 million DCIP award that we worked to secure and are finalizing today will help ensure the base’s dual nuclear missions are not disrupted by future flooding,” said Senator Hoeven. “This award serves as an important milestone in our efforts to permanently protect lives and property throughout the Souris River Valley against the threat of flooding.”

“Minot is very thankful for Senator Hoeven’s work in helping secure this grant,” said Minot Mayor Shaun Sipma. “The faster we can build flood control, the quicker people can be protected while also helping alleviate flood insurance costs. This grant will help us in our mission to get the project done as quickly as possible.”

The DCIP funding comes as the latest in Hoeven’s efforts to advance comprehensive flood protection for the entire Souris River Valley. To this end, the senator is working to:

  • Ensure the Corps has the funding it needs to conduct the Pre-construction Engineering and Design (PED) for the project’s fourth phase.
    • The senator recently urged Army Corps Chief Scott Spellmon to prioritize Minot’s PED funding in the Corps’ annual work plan.
    • This follows the senator’s successful efforts working with Senator Cramer to authorize the project in the year-end legislation passed by Congress in December.

-###-