05.03.18

Hoeven Outlines Efforts to Secure Support, Funding for Comprehensive Flood Protection for the Red River Valley

FARGO, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today met with Fargo Mayor Tim Mahoney and other local leaders to discuss progress on comprehensive flood protection for the Red River Valley. The senator outlined his efforts to secure support and funding for the project in the Corps’ Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 work plan. In a recent hearing, Hoeven secured a commitment from Lt. Gen Todd Semonite, Chief of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, to help secure funding for construction in the Fargo-Moorhead region as efforts continue to resolve the concerns of Minnesota and upstream groups. Following on that, this week, Hoeven sent a letter to the Corps to press for funding for the project in the Corps’ work plan for FY2018, as well as supplemental funding legislation that Congress provided to the Corps. 

“Comprehensive flood protection is essential to the safety and well-being of the region’s residents,” said Hoeven. “This meeting is an important opportunity to outline the steps we are taking to move forward with flood protection in a timely manner while addressing upstream concerns. The Corps supports our efforts to build comprehensive flood protection. We recently secured a commitment from Chief Semonite to help us with funding for construction in this year’s Corps’ work plan. We’ll continue building on that support to move forward.” 

Additionally, as member of the Energy and Water Appropriations Committee, Hoeven included increased funding for the Army Corps’ construction account in FY2018 to help ensure the Corps can fund projects like flood protection in the Red River Valley through its Corps’ work plan. 

Today’s meeting aligns with Hoeven’s efforts to advance regional flood protection efforts in the Red River Valley. This includes ensuring the support of key administration officials, such as the recently-confirmed Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, R.D. James, as well as Maj. Gen. Richard Kaiser and Col. Sam Calkins, Commanders of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Mississippi Valley Division and St. Paul District, respectively. Hoeven is also continuing his work as a member of the Senate Energy and Water Appropriations Committee to secure funding for the project. 

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