BISMARCK, N.D.—The North Dakota Water Coalition applauds the historic investment in water pledged by the State of North Dakota in the 2021 Legislative Session. With the signing of House Bill 1020 and House Bill 1431 in the last week, the State of North Dakota has allocated nearly $1 billion in investment in critical water development and water management projects.
House Bill 1020, which appropriates funds for the State Water Commission operations and cost-share grants, contains more than $466 million for regional water supply projects, flood control efforts, irrigation projects, and rural and municipal water development.
House Bill 1431 authorizes the state to issue bonds to complete the Fargo-Moorhead Diversion Project and the Mouse River Flood Control Project. With this bill, the legislature approved the issuance of $510 million in bonds, paid using Legacy Fund earnings, to be put towards completing these important projects.
“The almost $1 billion investment by the State of North Dakota, approved this legislative session, speaks volumes about the importance of water infrastructure to the continued growth of North Dakota. On behalf of the North Dakota Water Coalition members, we offer sincere thanks to Governor Doug Burgum and the legislature for their dedication to serving the citizens of this great state,” said Ken Royse, North Dakota Water Coalition chairman.
The North Dakota Water Coalition is an organization of water projects and political subdivisions—including water and irrigation districts, regional and rural water systems, flood control projects, and city and state water groups.