10.11.23

Hoeven Outlines Efforts to Fully Fund ENDAWS, Discusses Project Progress with BOR Commissioner

ENDAWS Will Reduce Red River Valley Water Supply Project Costs by $200 Million, Save Operating Costs

FARGO, N.D. – At a meeting of the Lake Agassiz Water Authority today, Senator John Hoeven discussed with Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) Commissioner Camille Touton efforts to fund the Eastern North Dakota Alternate Water Supply (ENDAWS) Project. Hoeven invited Touton to again visit the state and help advance this priority after securing her commitment during a meeting of the Senate Energy and Water Development Appropriations Committee to work with him on funding ENDAWS. To this end, the senator:

  • Stressed the importance of the project in ensuring a reliable water supply in the Red River Valley, particularly during times of drought.
    • ENDAWS will allow for additional water to be released from Garrison Diversion Unit facilities to serve as an alternate water source for the state-led Red River Valley Water Supply project.
    • The Garrison Diversion Conservancy District estimates that the alternative water supply would reduce project costs by $200 million while also saving on operating costs.
  • Highlighted the opportunity for BOR to generate revenue through Garrison Diversion Unit facilities, which are currently underutilized.
  • Addressed an issue where BOR is utilizing the municipal, rural, and industrial (MR&I) water supply program funding to cover biota water treatment costs, which affects the availability of funds for projects like ENDAWS.
    • Touton has committed to continue working with the senator to resolve the issue.

“Our state is ready to begin construction on ENDAWS, but we need Commissioner Touton’s help to fully fund this important project. We appreciate her coming to North Dakota once again to hear directly from those working on this effort and the benefits it will bring to the Red River Valley,” said Hoeven. “A more reliable water supply is essential to supporting the continued growth of the entire Fargo-Moorhead region, and ENDAWS will help make that a reality by reducing costs for, and providing greater certainty to, the state-led project. That’s why we’re working to get the funding in place for ENDAWS and bring this project online.”

Advancing ENDAWS

Today’s meeting builds upon Touton’s visit to North Dakota last year, which Hoeven organized to review the state’s water supply projects. Prior to this, Hoeven worked with the North Dakota delegation to secure a completed Environmental Impact Study (EIS) and a signed Record of Decision (ROD) for ENDAWS. The ROD was the final step of the federal environmental review process and enables the state to construct the project’s infrastructure and facilities. The design phase for ENDAWS began in 2022, with construction expected to follow in 2024.

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