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State Water Commission Budget to Provide up to $30M to Red River Valley Water Supply Project

Posted: May 09 2017

State Water Commission Budget to Provide up to $30M to Red River Valley Water Supply Project

News Release - (May 5, 2017)

The North Dakota State Water Commission’s budget for the 2017-2019 biennium has been approved with up to $30 million slated for the Red River Valley Water Supply Project (RRVWSP). Of the $30 million grant, $17 million will be directed towards the completion of planning and permitting, while the remaining $13 million is to initiate construction.

“The Garrison Diversion Conservancy District (Garrison Diversion) and Lake Agassiz Water Authority (LAWA) requested $30 million in funding to keep the project affordable for the participating communities and water systems. Affordability is very important for the ongoing success of the project,” says Duane DeKrey, Garrison Diversion General Manager.

The state and local funding will allow Garrison Diversion to wrap up the design of the pipeline, intake, and discharge structures, as well as begin construction to ensure coverage under current regulations and permitting. It will also allow the project team to exercise existing easement options and acquire remaining easements.

“We are so thankful for the legislative support of this crucial project. The funding included in the State Water Commission budget for the Red River Valley Water Supply Project will allow us to stay on the critical path to complete the project effectively and efficiently,” says Tim Mahoney, LAWA Board Chairman.

When it is completed, the RRVWSP will benefit about half of North Dakota’s population by providing a supplemental source of water during droughts. The water will provide opportunities for industrial development in participating communities from the central part of the state to the Red River Valley. Thirty-five cities and water systems have committed to help fund the development portion of the project which includes conceptual engineering, phased preliminary engineering, and financial modeling. The goal is to begin phased bidding and construction of the RRVWSP in 2019.

Project Background
The RRVWSP will deliver Missouri River water to central and eastern North Dakota through a buried pipeline. The 35 communities and water districts that have provided initial commitment to the project include the Cities of Carrington, Cooperstown, Devils Lake, East Grand Forks, Fargo which includes service to West Fargo, Forman, Grafton, Grand Forks, Hannaford, Hillsboro, Langdon, Larimore, Lisbon, Mayville, McVille, Park River, Tuttle, Valley City, and Wahpeton; as well as the Agassiz Water Users District, Barnes Rural Water District, Cass Rural Water Users District, Central Plains Water District, Dakota Rural Water District, Grand Forks-Traill Water District, Greater Ramsey Water District, McLean-Sheridan Rural Water, Northeast Regional Water District, Richland County Job Development Authority, South Central Regional Water District, Southeast Water Users District, Stutsman Rural Water District/Jamestown, Traill Rural Water Users, Inc., Tri-County Rural Water District, and Walsh Rural Water District. Check out the project website at www.RRVWSP.com.