Secretary of InteriorZinke Tours GDU Facilities

UBy Kimberly Cook

GDCD News

U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke took time during a visit to North Dakota in May to tour several Garrison Diversion Unit (GDU) facilities in central North Dakota. The tour was a historic event, as Zinke is the first interior secretary to ever tour the GDU facilities. He was in North Dakota to speak at the Williston Basin Petroleum Conference.

Gov. Doug Burgum and Lt. Gov. Brent Sanford also took part in the exciting event, getting a first-hand look at the infrastructure.

“We are honored Secretary Zinke and Gov. Burgum made time to visit the Garrison Diversion Unit facilities to learn more about how our programs benefit North Dakota,”

says Duane DeKrey, Garrison Diversion Conservancy District (Garrison Diversion) general manager.

During the tour, Zinke made stops at the Snake Creek Pumping Plant, McClusky Canal and the McClusky Canal Mile Marker 7.5 Irrigation Project. The McClusky Canal is a major feature of the GDU Principal Supply Works that delivers water for purposes such as irrigation, recreation, fish and wildlife, wildlife mitigation areas and water quality improvements. The Bureau of Reclamation owns the Snake Creek Pumping Plant and the McClusky Canal. Garrison Diversion assists with the operations and maintenance of both facilities.

Zinke’s visit with Garrison Diversion is the second meeting in less than a year. In October, Garrison Diversion

Mike Marohl of the Bureau of Reclamation (center) educates Governor Burgum and Secretary Zinke on the McClusky Canal. Pictured from left to right: Jerry Kellar, Garrison Diversion O&M Superintendent; Kip Kovar, Garrison Diversion District Engineer; Mike Marohl, Bureau of Reclamation; Garland Erbele, ND State Engineer; Governor Doug Burgum; Secretary Zinke

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and Lake Agassiz Water Authority (LAWA) representatives traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with Zinke and Rep. Kevin Cramer about the Red River Valley Water Supply Project (RRVWSP). The group discussed the drought control project that will deliver a supplemental water supply to central and eastern North Dakota. The supplemental water will be utilized for domestic needs and to promote industrial development for nearly 50 percent of the state. The RRVWSP was briefly discussed again during Zinke’s visit.

The RRVWSP includes 35 communities and water systems that have provided initial commitment to the project that would deliver a supplemental water supply from the Missouri River to the Sheyenne River using a buried pipeline.

The tour was hosted by the Bureau of Reclamation Dakotas Area Office. Tour participants included Garrison Diversion staff and board officers, North Dakota delegation representatives, State Engineer Garland Erbele and State Water Commission staff, several legislators and representatives from the RRVWSP and Northwest Area Water Supply Project (NAWS).

GDCD News

Above: Garrison Diversion representatives are pictured with U.S. Secretary of Interior Ryan Zinke, Governor Doug Burgum and Lt. Governor Brent Sanford along the McClusky Canal in central North Dakota. Pictured from left to right: Duane DeKrey, Garrison Diversion General Manager; Kip Kovar, Garrison Diversion District Engineer; Lt. Gov. Brent Sanford; Gov. Doug Burgum; Kimberly Cook, Garrison Diversion Communications Director; U.S. Secretary of Interior Ryan Zinke; Merri Mooridian, Garrison Diversion Administrative Officer

Left: Garrison Diversion and Lake Agassiz Water Authority representatives are pictured with U.S. Secretary of Interior Ryan Zinke, Governor Doug Burgum and Lt. Governor Brent Sanford along the McClusky Canal in central North Dakota. Pictured from left to right: Tim Mahoney, Lake Agassiz Water Authority Board Chair; Alan Walter, Garrison Diversion Board 1st Vice Chair; Lt. Gov. Brent Sanford; Governor Doug Burgum; U.S. Secretary of Interior Ryan Zinke; Ken Vein, Garrison Diversion Board 2nd Vice Chair and Lake Agassiz Water Authority Vice Chair; Ken Royse, Garrison Diversion Board Chairman

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North Dakota Water Leader,Dave Koland, Passes

Matching Recreation Grant Program –Upcoming Deadline

for the Garrison Diversion Matching Recreation Grant Program, please visit the Garrison Diversion website www.garrisondiversion.org and look under “Recreation Programs.”

TThe Garrison Diversion Conservancy District (Garrison Diversion) dedicates two-tenths, or 20 percent, of its one-mill levy to the Matching Recreation Grant Program and is committed to assisting qualifying organizations with a variety of projects. Twice a year, Garrison Diversion’s Recreation Committee meets to disburse funds to project applicants and is currently accepting applications until Sept. 1 for the fall meeting.

Grants may be requested for new recreation facilities or enhancement or expansion of existing facilities. Political subdivisions located within the 28-county district are eligible to apply for the program.

For years, Garrison Diversion has provided funds to support local recreation projects in communities across the state. Big or small, all eligible projects are invited to apply for grant funding. To date, nearly $5 million has been awarded to projects within the district.

For more information and to obtain an application

DDave Koland, general manager of the Garrison Diversion Conservancy District from 2003 to 2015, passed away May 8.

Dave played an active role in the North Dakota water community as a persistent advocate in promoting the efforts to deliver affordable, quality water to the citizens of North Dakota through his dedication to water development and water policy issues in the state. Prior to Garrison Diversion, Dave served 11 years as executive director for the North Dakota Rural Water Systems Association in Bismarck.

Dave was a significant key leader and motivator in the Red River Valley Water Supply Project, showing support, perseverance and direction as he worked to advance the project.

He offered his water expertise statewide serving with the North Dakota Water Education Foundation, Lake Agassiz Water Authority, North Dakota Water Users, Upper Missouri Water Association and Missouri River Stakeholders.

Not only was Dave a known and recognized water leader throughout North Dakota, but also at the national level, serving as immediate past president of the National Water Resources Association at the time of his death. Its mission is to advocate federal policies, legislation and regulations promoting protection, management, development and beneficial use of water resources.

Dave was also dedicated to the state legislature, serving three terms as a state representative from District 5 in Minot.

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