Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation asked to prioritize Yellowstone Intake Dam project

U.S. Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) joined other legislators from Montana and North Dakota this week in urging the Army Corps of Engineers (ACE) and Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) to quickly address concerns over the Yellowstone Intake Diversion Dam.

Citing a risk to an endangered fish population, a federal judge blocked construction of the planned dam along the Yellowstone River near the Montana-North Dakota border on Sept. 8.

In a letter to Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Jo-Ellen Darcy and BOR Commissioner Estevan Lopez, bipartisan lawmakers reiterated the large economic benefit the dam would provide to both states. 

“We urge ACE and BOR to address the concerns of the court and conduct the necessary analyses in a timely manner to ensure this essential source of water for farmers, ranchers, and communities throughout much of northeastern Montana and northwestern North Dakota is not unduly disrupted,” the lawmakers wrote. “This project is critical to close to four hundred farms and irrigates over 50,000 acres of cropland, and time is of the essence as winter is approaching and inclement weather could further damage existing infrastructure.”

The congressional delegation from each state requested that ACE and BOR quickly address the issue, so construction can resume.

“As ACE and BOR move forward in addressing the issues detailed by the Court in granting the injunction, we request ACE and BOR act in as expeditious a manner as possible,” they wrote.

The Richland County Commissioners, who govern the area at the local level, released a statement of support for the letter.

“The Commissioners from Richland County, Montana want to thank all our congressional delegates from both Montana and North Dakota for standing together on this important issue,” they wrote. “Through this non-partisan effort they have come together to represent all the citizens of eastern Montana and western North Dakota. We are trusting these leaders to come to a workable solution to save the fish and the farmer.”

Other legislators signing the letter include Sens. Jon Tester (D-MT), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) and John Hoeven (R-ND); and Reps. Ryan Zinke (R-MT) and Kevin Cramer (R-ND).