As the Red River Valley Water Supply Project (RRVWSP) moves closer to the construction phase, positive landowner relations are of the utmost importance to the Garrison Diversion Conservancy District (Garrison Diversion.)
Duane DeKrey, Garrison Diversion General Manger, presented on that topic at the Landowners Association of North Dakota (LAND) annual meeting in February. Garrison Diversion started the right-of-way acquisition process for the RRVWSP in late 2018.
“Our process is designed to be very respectful to landowners because easements can be a sensitive subject. Many of the Garrison Diversion Board members own land, as do I, so we can understand the concerns landowners may have,” explains DeKrey. “All affected landowners will be compensated for the use of their land. Since these are buried pipelines, farmers will be able to continue using the land prior to and after construction is complete. In addition, we have our construction crews separate the topsoil, so it can be returned to its place when construction is finished.”
Landowners along the first 28 miles of the project’s pipeline that will be constructed have received packets of information from Garrison Diversion. Each landowner packet contained the following materials:
- Letter identifying the tract of land
- RRVWSP map with project information
- Garrison Diversion Conservancy District overview
- Agreement to be signed with a return envelope
- Crop damage payment policy
“We want to provide as much information as possible to help landowners understand the process. It’s like the golden rule says – treat others as you wish to be treated. We will return land to its original condition after construction is complete,” says DeKrey.