Hoeven Working to Identify, Secure Funding for Future Minot Flood Protection Phases
Senator Outlines Efforts to Bring Maple Diversion to Completion, Advance Comprehensive Flood Protection for Entire Region
MINOT, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today met with Minot city officials and representatives from the St. Paul District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to discuss progress on building permanent flood protection for the entire Souris River Valley, as well as opportunities to secure funding for future phases of the project. In particular, the senator:
· Stressed the importance of reaching agreement with the railroads for the Corps to build the remainder of the Maple Diversion, the project’s fourth phase.
o Hoeven has been working with local leaders and the railroads to ensure a fair agreement is reached that meets the Minot region’s flood protection needs.
o The Maple Diversion serves as the capstone for the other phases of Milestone 1 and ultimately provides flood protection to 60 percent of the region.
o In 2022, Hoeven worked to secure $61.45 million for the Maple Diversion, following his successful efforts with Senator Cramer to authorize the project.
· Is working with the Corps to bring additional funding through the Continuing Authorities Program (CAP) to address additional portions of the project, including the dead ox-bow loops.
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- CAP allows the Corps to construct projects that cost less than $10 million without needing to go through a separate congressional authorization process.
- As a member of the Senate Energy and Water Development Appropriations Committee, Hoeven oversees funding for CAP and is supporting efforts to identify features of Minot’s flood protection that qualify for CAP funding.
- Is asking the Corps to find additional ways to contribute to flood protection, including, assisting with the planning and design of future flood protection features.
“We have made tremendous progress in building up flood protection in Minot, but there is still a great deal of work to do,” said Hoeven. “Bringing the Maple Diversion to completion is key, and that’s why we’re supporting efforts to reach a fair agreement with the railroads. At the same time, there is a real opportunity for the Corps to provide additional assistance to the future phases of this project and help deliver comprehensive flood protection to the rest of the region. That includes our efforts to fund additional features through CAP as well as leveraging the Corps’ expertise to help with planning and designing future elements of the project.”
Today’s meeting comes as the latest in Hoeven’s efforts to advance comprehensive flood protection for the entire Minot region. To date, Hoeven has helped provide more than $750 million of federal funding in grants, loans and direct assistance to help the region recover from the 2011 flood and protect against the risk of future flooding. The details of the funding are as follows:
· U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 2011 Mouse River flood fight $27 million
· U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Phase 4 Maple Diversion $65 million
(includes $3.6 million for the feasibility study and $61.4 million for
project construction)
· Department of Defense Community Infrastructure Grant $9.8 million
(in support of Phase 5 of the regional flood protection project)
· Emergency Relief road repairs for city, county, and state roads $73.45 million
in Minot and Ward County est. federal share
(Includes $37.75 million for county and city roads and $35.7
million for state roads located in Ward County that incurred
damage during the 2011 Disaster Event)
· Public assistance for infrastructure damage (including schools) $83.4 million
· FEMA Individual Assistance $89.8 million
· SBA disaster loans $240.9 million
· Community Development Block Grants $117.3 million
· Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (including the $25.58 million
flood wall protecting the water treatment plant)
· Economic Development Assistance–Disaster Recovery Grants $20 million
(Approximately $18 million awarded May 2013)
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