***Click here to download video. Click here for audio.***
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), throughout today’s Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee hearing, enhanced a brand-new expense to enhance outside leisure opportunities for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)-handled centers. He likewise highlighted the value of the Snake Creek Embankment to eastern North Dakota’s economy and highlighted prospective water tasks at the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Reservation. Excerpts and complete video are listed below.
Senator Cramer recently presented the Lake Access Keeping the Economies Strong (LAKES) Act. The bipartisan legislation would supply USACE centers higher opportunities for public-private financial investments and provide regional districts more versatility to reinvest the costs they gather at leisure websites. Already, it has actually amassed assistance from over 25 state and nationwide stakeholders, in addition to extra Senate co-sponsors.
“Your group has actually been extremely useful in offering the details and technical assistance to help us prepare the legislation,” said Senator Cramer. “A great deal of individuals do not consider the Corps of Engineers as leisure supervisor however, boy, it’s unbelievable — a few of the very best properties we have in North Dakota are your properties.
“[Our bill] does 2 things. Basically, it enables the Corps to maintain leisure costs at the websites where they’re gathered — and this is something […] that prevails throughout the federal government, simply not with the Corps of Engineers. The other thing it does is, it offers the Corps more latitude to partner with non-government companies, assistance companies, and not-for-profit entities,” he continued. “As a former [North Dakota] Tourism Director, it’s hard to exaggerate the value, the incredible resources you have.”
“Thank you very much. Five agencies have that authority already — including the Bureau of Reclamation, which has a similar mission, although our recreation mission is significantly larger.” reacted Michael Connor, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works. “Bottom line is, it takes some pressure off of our budget and greatly has the capacity to provide improved services and facilities for those using those recreational facilities. So, we will look forward to taking a look at that legislation, but thank you for thinking of us, because [recreation] is a very important part of our mission.”
Senator Cramer likewise highlighted Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s water efforts and welcomed Assistant Secretary Connor to check out North Dakota to learn direct about their work.
“I spend a lot of time with the Standing Rock Tribe and the leadership there. Chairwoman Janet Alkire, Vice Chairman Frank Jamerson are especially interested in your projects. You’ve said you’d like to go down there, and I really hope we get something scheduled this summer,” said Senator Cramer. “I’m very committed to it, and I hope you are as well. They have some wonderful projects, and as you know, they have an incredible water resource.”
“We’ll be there for the executive leadership meetings with the Corps this coming week, and I will spend a little bit of time with the tribe,” reacted Assistant Secretary Connor. “But, Senator, there’s a lot of things going on up there, and I would be happy to make a return engagement with you. I share your views.”
He thanked Lieutenant General Scott Spellmon, Army Corps Chief Engineer and Commanding General, for extending the remark duration for the Environmental Assessment of the Snake Creek Embankment through May 18, 2023.
“I’ve talked to the governor, I’ve talked to the economic developers, and they’re going to get you all the information you need — at least, the ball is in their court now — to make a good assessment,” said Senator Cramer. “My only admonition would be to, again, stress the importance of an all-encompassing perspective which recognizes that is water supply for about 50% of the population of North Dakota — obviously important to economic development… some billions of dollars’ worth of projects will require that water.”
“We remain on path to remove that 43-foot head differential at the Snake Creek Embankment by the end of this calendar year, sir,” reacted Lieutenant General Spellmon. “We’ll subsequently update the water control manual, and then we’ll mitigate that risk with an increased inspection regime should the water elevation reach those levels.”