CARRINGTON, N.D. (KFGO) – A ruling from a federal judge in Missouri is seen as a major victory for North Dakota. The judge decided that the state is entitled to use more Missouri River water, a decision that should allow construction to move forward on the Red River Valley Water Supply Project according to Duane Dekrey, General Manager of the Garrison Diversion Conservancy District, which is overseeing the project.
Sen. John Hoeven also sees the decision as a big victory. He says the ruling enables the Bureau of Reclamation to move forward with a water service contract for the project to receive up to 20 cubic feet per second of water from the McClusky Canal, helping provide a municipal, rural and industrial water supply for Burleigh, Sheridan, Wells, Foster, Kidder, McLean and Stutsman counties.
“This federal court decision is welcome news, as it helps reduce legal uncertainty for the Central North Dakota Water Supply Project and will enable our state to make good use of water from the McClusky Canal,” Hoeven said. “Moving forward, we will continue working with Garrison Diversion and the administration to help ensure a fair price for this contract, allowing for an affordable and more reliable water supply for communities across these seven counties.”
The state of Missouri had sued North Dakota, the US Department of Interior and the Bureau of Reclamation claiming an act of Congress would be needed to transfer more Missouri River water to central and eastern North Dakota. Dekrey says Fargo Mayor Tim Mahoney is pleased with the decision.
