01.12.17

Hoeven Stresses North Dakota Priorities, Comprehensive Flood Protection Projects with OMB Nominee Rep. Mulvaney

WASHINGTON -- Senator John Hoeven this week met with Congressman Mick Mulvaney (R-S.C.), nominee to head the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and highlighted important priorities for North Dakota. OMB approval is required for Army Corps of Engineers’ projects, like permanent flood protection for Fargo-Moorhead and Minot, which are vital to protect lives and property.

“OMB plays an important role in projects that make a real difference in North Dakota, like comprehensive flood protection in the Minot region and the Red River Valley, so I wanted to make sure they are on Congressman Mulvaney’s radar screen,” Hoeven said. “Our families and businesses need the certainty of comprehensive, permanent flood protection.”

The meeting is part of Hoeven’s ongoing efforts to secure comprehensive flood protection for Fargo-Moorhead, Minot and the surrounding areas. The senator wrote and secured the language in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 appropriations bill that authorized the construction start for Fargo and the new study for Minot, which the Army Corps subsequently included in its FY2016 work plan.

In addition, Hoeven continues working to address the concerns of upstream groups in the Red River Valley and the State of Minnesota. Recently, Hoeven joined local officials to dedicate Fargo’s new floodwall, which helps alleviate upstream impacts by allowing greater flows through the metro. The senator has also supported programs through the U.S. Department of Agriculture to manage water in rural areas, which has resulted in $62 million in federal funding to help retain water and mitigate flood risks in the region. This comes in addition to the $25 million committed by local authorities to advance water projects in upstream areas.

Hoeven continues working as a member of the Energy and Water Appropriations Committee to support these regional efforts and ensure the Corps has the funding it needs to sustain the flood projects.

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