Senator Outlines Flood Protection Construction Authorization

Senator John Hoeven led a roundtable in Fargo this week with local leaders to plan the path forward for Fargo-Moorhead’s permanent flood protection project.

As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Hoeven wrote and secured language in the year-end funding bill authorizing and funding new construction activity that will help to advance flood protection in the Red River Valley.

The legislation includes nearly $690 million more than the Army Corps of Engineer’s proposed budget for construction and directs the Corps to utilize projects organized as public-private partnerships (P3), like the permanent flood project for the Fargo region.

“Securing authorization and funding for the Army Corps to start new construction projects is a vital milestone in advancing Fargo’s flood protection project,” Hoeven said.

Earlier this year, the senator included similar language in the Energy and Water Appropriations bill.

Hoeven secured support for the project in meetings with Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Jo-Ellen Darcy, Army Corps Chief of Engineers Lieutenant General Thomas P. Bostick and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Shaun Donovan, including a meeting in Fargo where Hoeven hosted Lt. Gen. Bostick to show him firsthand the importance of permanent flood control for the Red River Valley.

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