12.16.15

Hoeven: Year-End Funding Bill Provides Authorization, Funding for New Starts and Construction of Flood Protection Projects

Measure Will Help Addresses North Dakota Flood Protection Priorities in Fargo-Moorhead, Minot Regions

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today announced that the year-end funding bill for Fiscal Year 2016 includes authorization and funding for new starts and construction of flood protection projects. The senator said the measure includes nearly $690 million more than the Army Corps of Engineer’s proposed budget for construction and authorizes new studies and construction activity that will help to advance flood protection projects in the Fargo-Moorhead and Minot regions.

Hoeven worked on the Appropriations Committee to include language in the FY 2016 Energy and Water funding bill, which has now been included in the year-end legislation. Congress is expected to pass the measure later this week. Specifically, the legislation will:

  • Help communities in North Dakota build permanent flood protection projects with an emphasis on public private partnerships like the permanent flood protection project for Fargo and the Red River Valley.
  • Provide permission for the Corps to begin studies of new permanent flood protection projects, which is vital for communities like Minot and the Souris River.
  • Increase the Corps funding for water development infrastructure over FY 2015. This increase will help communities like LaMoure with funding to replace sanitary sewer systems.
  • Increase the Corps’ funding for FEMA flood-mapping activities to better coordinate with flood insurance and keep premiums more affordable.

“The new year-end funding bill takes a big step to help communities like Fargo-Moorhead and Minot advance vital flood protection projects by authorizing new starts and studies, as well as by increased funding for construction,” said Hoeven. “We’ve secured relief for many of our residents through infrastructure investments, water retention and affordable flood insurance. The bill we’re on track to pass this week continues that progress for major flood infrastructure for the Red River Valley and the Souris River region.”

Hoeven also worked to include additional funding for FEMA’s flood mapping activities. The year-end legislation directs FEMA to take local communities’ flood protection projects into consideration when mapping flood hazards and to coordinate the mapping process with the phases of large projects. The measure provides an additional $165 million above the FY 2015 level for flood mitigation programs and boosts the Flood Hazard Mapping and Risk Analysis Program to $190 million and the Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) Grant Program to $100 million.

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