News Releases for December 2008
December 5, 2008
For further information, please Contact the Governor's Office
Hoeven Commends Bureau on NAWS Environmental Impact Statement
Project now awaits Record of Decision before moving forward
BISMARCK, N.D. - Gov. John Hoeven today commended the Bureau of Reclamation on its NAWS final Environmental Impact Statement, which is recommending the Preferred Alternative action to treat water that will be drawn from Lake Sakakawea and supplied to residents and communities in north central and northwestern North Dakota.
"This EIS is a positive step in the right direction. We've worked closely with the Bureau of Reclamation to come up with a plan that provides strong environmental protection in a cost-effective way," Hoeven said. "Now, the Bureau can move forward with the Record of Decision, which is its final action prior to implementation. The Preferred Alternative EIS should satisfy the requirements of the court to move forward in delivering water through the NAWS project."
The Preferred Alternative combines the chemical disinfection treatment included in the No Action Alternative and the ultraviolet disinfection process of the action alternatives. The proposed action will treat project water from Lake Sakakawea to further reduce the risk of biological invasion into the Hudson Bay basin. The construction of the Preferred Alternative will cost approximately $17.5 million including contingencies and non-contract costs. The annual OM&R cost is estimated at approximately $306,000.
The NAWS project will bring fresh water from Lake Sakakawea to residents and businesses in North Dakota, including Minot, the Minot Air Force Base, and other communities and rural users north central and northwestern North Dakota. The project must now await a minimum 30-day period before a Record of Decision, the final step in the NEPA process, is issued.
"The State of North Dakota is committed to continuing with NAWS as an environmentally sound project that will bring high quality water to the people of northwestern North Dakota, who need it," said Hoeven.
E-mail comments to the Governor
