Central ND News

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Army Corps) has announced its Fiscal Year 2024 work plan, which allocates more than $27 million to support infrastructure projects, operations, and maintenance across North Dakota. The plan specifically includes $2,850,000 for the City of Mott’s Water and Sewer System Improvement Project under the Army Corps Section 594 Program.

“The 594 program uniquely benefits local communities across our state, which is why I prioritized its reauthorization last Congress,” said Cramer. “I’m glad to see the Army Corps’ work plan for this year restores funding for North Dakota wastewater infrastructure projects. This program, along with other improvements and investments in the work plan, is a step in the right direction. I look forward to working with the Army Corps on its implementation.”

As Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Senator Cramer reauthorized the Section 594 Program in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2022. This program has been used by communities across North Dakota to design and construct water and wastewater infrastructure. In the FY 2024 appropriations package that passed the Senate in March, Senator Cramer helped secure $11 million for “multi-state environmental infrastructure programs,” including North Dakota’s Section 594 Program.

Additional FY 24 annual operation and maintenance funding includes:

- $19,810,000 for Garrison Dam, Lake Sakakawea

- $2,268,000 to Lake Ashtabula and Baldhill Dam

- $777,000 to Pipestem Lake

- $389,000 to Souris River

- $352,000 to Bowman Haley Lake

- $330,000 to Homme Lake

- $377,000 for inspection of completed O&M works

- $285,000 for surveillance of northern boundary waters

- $143,000 for scheduling reservoir operations

The allocations for Baldhill and Pipestem dams include funding to update their respective water control manuals. In WRDA 2022, at the request of the North Dakota Department of Water Resources, Senator Cramer directed the Army Corps to update these manuals to address new conditions and the Red River Valley Water Supply Project.