02.19.19

Hoeven Working to Provide Certainty to Lake Patterson Homeowners as Lot Transfers Proceed

Senator Organizes Roundtable with Bureau of Reclamation, Dickinson Parks & Rec Department & Local Residents to Review Timeline, Ensure Clear Communication

DICKINSON, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today hosted a roundtable with homeowners from Patterson Lake as well as officials from the Dickinson Parks and Recreation Department and the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) to review the timeline for transferring the cabin lots and arranging their purchase by the local residents. Hoeven’s legislation to allow the purchase was signed into law in December, and the senator organized today’s meeting to ensure clear communication between the BOR, local officials and the homeowners as the process moves forward.

“As the Bureau drafts a memorandum of understanding for the transfer, it’s important that the local homeowners and officials from the Parks Department know what to expect from the process,” Hoeven said. “Today’s meeting is about providing certainty for everyone involved and making sure the transfer proceeds in a timely, transparent and smooth manner.”

Hoeven introduced S. 440, legislation to transfer lots at Patterson Lake, in February 2017. The senator worked to advance the legislation through the Senate in October and the House of Representatives in November, and the President signed Hoeven’s bill into law in December. Specifically, the law:

  • Transfers 41 cabin lots, and additional recreation and wildlife management lands, to the Dickinson Parks and Recreation Department. It also transfers a parcel of land, currently being leased, to the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.
  • Directs that proceeds exceeding the costs of preparing residential lots for sale be used for administrative costs and deferred maintenance of the dam. The Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) would continue to maintain responsibility over the reservoir and dam. 

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