The Lake Agassiz Water Authority board voted unanimously in September to study further a $781-million water-pipeline project proposal that would deliver water from the Missouri River to communities in eastern North Dakota's Red River Valley. Another plan, the $660-million Red River Valley Water Supply project, passed environmental review five years ago but has not advanced because of inaction on the part of the federal government."All along, we were under the impression that the project would be a federal, state and local partnership, but after waiting five years for a record of decision from the Dept. of the Interior, we have decided to further investigate a new plan that would be funded solely by state and local governments."
Maybe it's the next project to be considered after the Keystone Pipeline?
According to an environmental impact statement (EIS) completed in 2007 for the original water-supply project, Red River Valley water supplies would be inadequate during a severe drought similar to one that occurred in the region in the 1930s. Under such a shortage, 1,200 truckloads of water per day would be needed to supply Fargo's household water needs.
However, with the Red River Valley region currently experiencing drought-like conditions, including 12 consecutive months of below-average rainfall, Koland said the agency cannot afford to wait any longer.
Now disater relief - we can get some good photo ops out of that!