U.S. Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND) and U.S. Rep. Kelly Armstrong (R-ND) last week unveiled a bipartisan, bicameral bill that would provide necessary authorization ceiling increases to ensure more reliable, drought-resilient water supplies for North Dakota and its five tribal nations.
“We must deliver an adequate and reliable water supply across the state at an affordable rate,” Rep. Armstrong said on Friday. “In 2000, when the Dakota Water Resources Act passed, it was supposed to protect North Dakota’s water supply and keep it reliable.”
“Our legislation amends the Dakota Water Resources Act to provide our producers with the rates that Congress intended, it gives our state clarity when building a more dependable water supply, and secures clean drinking water to our North Dakota communities and the five tribal nations,” added the congressman.
Additionally, the Dakota Water Resources Act Amendments of 2024, S. 4996/H.R. 9554, would help fulfill federal compensation that was promised to the state and tribes upon the construction of the Garrison Dam and Oahe Dam.
“The Garrison Diversion was established to compensate North Dakota and tribal nations in the state for the loss of more than a half a million of surface acreage when federal reservoirs were established along the Missouri River,” said Sen. Hoeven. “Not only was the Garrison Diversion never completed, but the grant program authorizations meant to replace the project were inadequate to cover the long-term needs of North Dakota and tribal communities.”
If enacted, the bill would correct this issue, helping to ensure that the Municipal, Rural, and Industrial (MR&I) water supply grant program has sufficient funding authorizations to support water supply projects across the state, Sen. Hoeven added.
Rep. Armstrong on Sept. 12 sponsored H.R. 9554, while Sen. Hoeven on Sept. 9 sponsored S. 4996 alongside two original cosponsors, including U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA).
Specifically, the bill would amend the Dakota Water Resources Act to increase authorizations under the MR&I water supply grant program for North Dakota and the state’s five tribal nations, and ensure that biota water treatment costs are fully accounted for, which are rightly the responsibility of the federal government, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.
The bill also would authorize $687 million to complete rural water supply projects in North Dakota; $743 million to complete tribal water projects; and $50 million for the North Dakota Natural Resources Trust, the summary says.