Hoeven to Secretary Kerry: Support Joint Commission Plan of Study To Improve Flood Protections, Water Management in Souris River Basin

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven this week urged U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry to support the International Joint Commission’s Plan of Study to improve river management policies and operating plans for the Souris River Basin. In a letter to Secretary Kerry, Hoeven said that the study “represents the best opportunity to capture lessons learned from the 2011 floods and provide long-term flood protection in the Souris River Basin.”

The Souris River is jointly managed by the United States and Canada through the International Joint Commission’s International Souris River Board (ISRB). Following the historic Souris River flooding in 2011, Senators Hoeven and Kent Conrad urged then Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to review the 1989 agreement with the Canadian government that determines water management, including operations of basin dams, in the Souris River Basin. The Commission developed a Plan of Study to address Souris River Basin water supply and flood control matters and has requested that the U.S. Secretary of State and the Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs support the plan.

“Improved management of the Souris River remains a critical element of the long-term flood protection throughout the basin. I hope that you will support the Commission’s recommended POS and look forward to working with you and our Canadian counterparts to improve Souris River flood protection on behalf of the citizens of our two countries,” wrote Hoeven.

The full text of the letter is below:

Dear Mr. Secretary:

I seek your support for the International Joint Commission’s Plan of Study (POS) for the Souris River Basin as recommended to you and the Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs on June 7, 2013. This study plan represents the best opportunity to capture lessons learned from the 2011 floods and provide long-term flood protection in the Souris River Basin.

The United States and Canada jointly manage the Souris River through the International Joint Commission’s International Souris River Board (ISRB). A 1989 agreement sets forth the basic river management plan, including guidelines for the release of water from the Rafferty and Alameda Dams in Canada and the Lake Darling Dam in North Dakota. The historic 2011 floods along the Souris River devastated hundreds of homes and businesses, especially in and around the City of Minot, North Dakota and underscored the need to review river management policies and enhance area flood protection.

I asked Secretary Clinton to work with her Canadian counterpart to direct the International Joint Commission to review the 1989 agreement on Souris River management. The two governments requested that the Commission develop a “Plan of Study” (POS) to address Souris River Basin water supply and flood control matters. On June 7, 2013, the Commission asked you and the Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs to support its recommended POS at a cost of $2.1 million, divided between the United States and Canada and spread over a two year period. Ongoing work conducted by the Corps of Engineers and other agencies may further reduce costs. This POS would remain viable for 20 years by identifying potential improvements to the river operating plan and testing alternate operating plans under several scenarios.

Improved management of the Souris River remains a critical element of the long-term flood protection throughout the basin. I hope that you will support the Commission’s recommended POS and look forward to working with you and our Canadian counterparts to improve Souris River flood protection on behalf of the citizens of our two countries.

Sincerely,

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