Sen. John Hoeven
U.S. Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND) on Aug. 23 met with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials and leaders from the Bismarck, N.D., region to discuss protecting homeowners and businesses from flood risk and costly flood insurance.
They reviewed efforts to advance the $122 million South Bismarck Flood Control Project and a new $7 million University of Mary wastewater infrastructure project in an effort to build upon conversations Sen. Hoeven has had with FEMA officials in recent months to help advance the state’s flood control priorities.
“Under the updated flood insurance maps, approximately 1,000 new structures are in the floodplain and will need flood insurance,” Sen. Hoeven said. “The good news is that efforts are already underway to mitigate this risk with the South Bismarck Flood Control Project, an effort supported by $50 million in federal funding through FEMA’s Flood Mitigation Assistance program.”
Sen. Hoeven secured $50 million in federal funding for the Bismarck flood project, which is expected to be matched by $43 million in state funds and $29 million in local funds.
Once completed, the flood control project will protect the nearly 1,000 homes and other structures, ensuring property owners will not need to buy flood insurance, according to information provided by the senator’s staff, which said construction is expected to begin in 2026 and will take three years to complete.
Sen. Hoeven worked with FEMA Region 8 Administrator Nancy Dragani to advance the federal funding and move the project forward.
“Having this funding in place provides certainty for the residents and businesses of Bismarck, putting construction on track to start in 2026,” he added. “At the same time, we’re using this opportunity with Administrator Dragani to continue making the case for an important project at the University of Mary to replace its outdated lagoon system.”
The university is seeking $5.25 million in federal funds to restore lands that are currently used as septic lagoons, with the university planning to provide 25 percent in matching non-federal funds, the information says.
Sen. Hoeven is working to secure the funding under FEMA’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program and during the meeting, Dragani committed to work with the lawmaker on strengthening the project’s application in the program’s upcoming funding cycle.
“This project is a perfect fit for FEMA’s BRIC program, and I look forward to continuing my efforts with FEMA to secure federal funding toward this effort,” said Sen. Hoeven.