Hoeven Secures Energy Committee Approval for Legislation to Enable Homeowners Around Jamestown Reservoir, Patterson Lake to Purchase Lots

Legislation Transfers Land to Dickinson Parks & Rec Department, Stutsman County Park Board & ND Fish and Wildlife

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today announced that the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee has approved his legislation to enable homeowners around the Jamestown Reservoir and Patterson Lake to purchase their lots. The legislation approved by the committee transfers land around the Jamestown Reservoir (S.2074) to the Stutsman County Park District and lots at Patterson Lake (S.440) to the Dickinson Parks and Recreation Department to enable homeowners to purchase their land from these local entities.

“I appreciate the support of my colleagues on the Senate Energy Committee in advancing these bills to the full Senate. These provisions transfer land from the Bureau of Reclamation to local entities in order for homeowners around the Jamestown Reservoir and Patterson Lake to purchase their lots,” said Hoeven. “We’ve been working with the homeowner associations, as well as local, state and federal officials in Jamestown and Dickinson to ensure that the legislation works for all parties. These homeowners have made investments in their homes and lots, and they deserve the security of owning the land they live on.”

Jamestown Reservoir Legislation

Hoeven introduced the Jamestown Reservoir legislation last November, which grew out of meetings he and his staff held with homeowners and local officials. The bill was amended by the committee today to transfer all Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) lands around the reservoir to state and local public ownership, which will enable homeowners to purchase their lots from the Stutsman Park Board.

The Jamestown Reservoir legislation, as amended:

Permanently transfers federal lands around Jamestown Reservoir, including the 71 permitted exclusive use cabin lots, two campgrounds, a park and unpurchased lots to the Stutsman County Park Board and the North Dakota Game and Fish at no cost.
Maintains BOR responsibility over the reservoir and dam, and directs proceeds that exceed the costs of preparing the sale of residential lots to be used for the costs of carrying out this legislation and deferred maintenance of the dam.

Patterson Lake Legislation

Hoeven introduced legislation last year to enable homeowners at Patterson Lake to purchase their lots. That bill was amended in committee today to transfer federal land around the lake to the Dickinson Parks and Recreation Department, which will provide for the sale of the lots to the homeowners.

Hoeven’s Patterson Lake legislation, as amended:

Transfers 41 cabin lots, as well as additional lands dedicated to recreation and wildlife management, to the Dickinson Parks & Recreation Department. It also transfers a parcel of land, which is currently being leased, to the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.
Maintains BOR responsibility over the reservoir and dam, and directs proceeds that exceed the costs of preparing the sale of residential lots to be used for the costs of carrying out this legislation and deferred maintenance of the dam.

These bills follow Hoeven’s successful efforts to include a provision in the Water Resources and Development Act in December of 2016 that limited fee increases for permittees on Patterson Lake, the Jamestown Reservoir and Lake Tschida. BOR had proposed increasing fees to more than twice the cost of current fees for permits on the three reservoirs. Hoeven’s legislation prevented that increase and limited the total fee increase to no more than 33 percent over 5 years.

-###-

Next Article Previous Article