[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 85 (Wednesday, June 18, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5942-S5943]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        DISASTER SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS AND RESCISSION ACT

 Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I am pleased that I can finally 
tell the people of North Dakota that a disaster relief package has 
finally been passed by Congress and signed by the President. I am 
pleased that I can finally tell tens of thousands of individuals and 
business owners, who were devastated by the worst winter on record in 
North Dakota followed by a millennial flood, that help is on the way.
  Everyone who has watched the news over the past 2 months has been 
moved by both the devastation and the determination of the citizens of 
North Dakota. You watched our people working side by side, day and 
night to sandbag their homes, their schools, and their businesses. The 
dramatic photos on every TV station are a living legacy of what 
community is all about. It was neighbor helping neighbor. In the end, 
Mother Nature won the battle, but we fought the good fight and we did 
it together.
  Despite 9 blizzards which dropped more snow in North Dakota than in 
any other year on record; despite storms which killed more than 125,000 
head of livestock and knocked out hundred of miles of power lines; 
despite a millennial flood which forced the evacuation of 50,000 people 
from Grand Forks; despite the fact that many North Dakotans have lost 
their homes and all their worldly possessions, we North Dakotans will 
continue to work together to rebuild our cities, our businesses, and 
our communities in order to preserve a way of life which we all 
cherish.
  We are a strong, proud, and resolute people. We will face the 
challenges ahead with courage and commitment. But with damages expected 
to be in the billions, we could not proceed without the Federal support 
provided in the disaster relief bill.
  With this bill and the assistance that flows with it, the disaster 
victims in North Dakota and the other flood ravaged States can begin 
the long and painful process of recovery. The money provided in the 
relief bill will allow them to make informed decisions about their 
lives, their homes, and their businesses. They have waited too long for 
this help. But the wait is over. Help is on the way, and rebuilding and 
healing can begin.
  I would like to thank all the Members of the Senate and House 
Appropriations Committees for their help in working with me to ensure 
that sufficient assistance to address the incredible needs of North 
Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota was ultimately included in the 
disaster relief bill. Individually and collectively, we have suffered a 
disaster of catastrophic proportions which has required an exceptional 
response, and that is what the disaster relief bill provides.
  There are many people to thank as for their help on the disaster 
appropriations bill. At the top of the list are Senators Stevens and 
Byrd who were extremely helpful and supportive throughout every step of 
the process. Without their personal intervention and continuous 
support, many items and millions of dollars would not have been 
included in the final package. On behalf of all the people of North 
Dakota, I want to thank them for their generous assistance.
  Let me just list a few of the items in the disaster bill which will 
have a direct bearing on our ability to rebuild:
  $3.4 billion for FEMA, a significant portion of which will go to the 
Upper Midwest region.
  $500 million in community development block grants. This is the most 
flexible form of disaster assistance and the most crucial component to 
allow for buyouts. While all disaster States are eligible for this 
assistance, we anticipate that the majority will go to the Dakotas and 
Minnesota.

  $134 million in emergency agricultural assistance for the Upper 
Midwest, including
  $50 million for a new livestock indemnity program which will help 
North Dakota farmers and ranchers who have lost close to 125,000 head 
of livestock;
  $15 million in Department of Agriculture funds to purchase floodplain 
easements to reduce hazards to life and property due to the floods; and
  $5 million for the interest assistance program to provide additional 
funding for guaranteed, low-interest loans to farmers.
  $20 million to reimburse school districts who have had to educate 
additional children who were dislocated by the floods.
  $15 million for all preconstruction and design work for an outlet 
from Devils Lake to the Sheyenne River.
  $27.9 million in Corps of Engineers funding for North Dakota from the 
flood Control and Coastal Emergencies program.
  $600,000 for Ramsey County to mitigate damages to the sewer system 
from flooding, if necessary.
  About $20 million for the Corps of Engineers to raise the levees at 
Devils Lake.
  $210,000 for North Dakota's national parks.
  $3.9 million for the BIA in North Dakota.
  $265,000 for the Indian Health Service in North Dakota.
  $6.1 million for North Dakota to repair damaged freight rail lines.
  $9.3 million to the Fish and Wildlife Service in North Dakota.
  $840,000 for the U.S. Geological Service in North Dakota.
  Department of Education waiver authority language which will permit 
the Department to help students having difficulty meeting application 
and other statutory deadlines regarding Federal education funds.
  Language which allows States greater flexibility in using its child 
care and development block grant funds to help families in 
nonemployment related activities relating to the cleanup and recovery.
  A provision which directs the Office of Management and Budget to work 
with universities damaged by the floods in revising and extending their 
Federal grants, contracts, and cooperative agreement.
  In order to provide my colleagues with more detailed information on 
plans for enhanced diking at Devils Lake, ND, I ask to have printed in 
the Record a letter from the St. Paul District of the Corps of 
Engineers dated May 19, 1997.
  There are many people beyond the Congress to thank for their support 
in the wake of a series of historic and devastating disasters in North 
Dakota. Above all, I want to thank the people of North Dakota who, 
despite their losses, have refused to be overcome. They have displayed 
a remarkable

[[Page S5943]]

sense of courage, caring and conviction throughout the ordeal. Never 
have I been more proud to represent the State of North Dakota than I am 
now. They are the best citizens in the country. They know the meaning 
of neighbor. Whenever and wherever they were able, they extended a hand 
to those less fortunate.
  The great spirit of our people is embodied in the mayor of Grand 
Forks, Pat Owens. While small in stature, she has the heart of a giant. 
She gave us the courage not to lose courage. Her indomitable spirit 
held the citizens of Grand Forks together during the worst days of the 
tragedy, and now is guiding us patiently and compassionately through 
the recovery.
  I also want to thank all the Federal agencies for their long hours 
and hard work in bringing emergency assistance to relieve the immediate 
suffering of our citizens. They have done a magnificent job under 
extremely trying circumstances, and we are grateful for their 
superhuman efforts. James Lee Witt, the Director of FEMA, has been the 
guiding light in this endeavor. He came to North Dakota and personally 
witnessed the devastation, and then rushed personnel and resources into 
the State to assess damages and provide emergency assistance. He has 
also coordinated the activities of other Federal agencies in trying to 
get assistance to those in need as quickly as possible. That process is 
ongoing, and James Lee remains the stalwart in that endeavor. We thank 
him for all he has done and continues to do.
  In conclusion, let me thank my colleagues once again for their help 
in passing an historic disaster relief bill. North Dakotans are 
grateful for the helping hand the disaster relief bill provides. 
Recovery will be a long and painful process, but we will face the 
challenges ahead with courage and commitment. With our prairie faith to 
guide us, we will rebuild, we will recover, and we will be a stronger 
community.
  The letter follows:
         Department of the Army, St. Paul District, Corps of 
           Engineers,
                                       St. Paul, MN, May 19, 1997.
     Hon. Byron Dorgan,
     U.S. Senate,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Dorgan: Thank you for your recent inquiry on 
     the requirements to modify the levee work underway at the 
     City of Devils Lake, North Dakota to provide protection from 
     a lake level at elevation 1450. This letter will describe the 
     work required to provide this additional protection.
       The levee project at the City of Devils Lake that is 
     currently under construction is a raise of the Federal levee 
     project built by the Corps of Engineers in the 1980s under 
     the Continuing Authorities program. The ongoing construction 
     is raising and extending the existing levee system to provide 
     an increased level of protection from the lake. The original 
     levee was design to protect against a lake level of elevation 
     1440. The ongoing construction will protect against a lake 
     level five feet higher, to an elevation 1445. The top of 
     levee is being constructed five feet higher than the design 
     lake level to provide the necessary freeboard to handle wind, 
     waves & ice action.
       The current work was started in 1996 when the lake was at 
     elevation 1437, approaching the protection level of the 
     original levee, 1440. The early National Weather Service 
     forecast for the lake level this summer was elevation 1440.5, 
     well within the level of protection being provided by the 
     current work. However, in mid-April this year, the National 
     Weather Service increased the forecast lake level by three 
     plus feet to elevation 1443.5 to 1444, projecting this level 
     to be reached in July 1997. Based on this revised forecast 
     lake level, it is necessary to consider additional protection 
     by raising the levee system even higher than currently being 
     constructed.
       An additional levee raise to provide protection against a 
     lake level of 1450 is highly desirable and can be constructed 
     cost effectively. The additional work required to provide 
     this higher level of levee protection, with appropriate 
     freeboard, would consist of the following features:
       Increase the height and base width of the existing earthen 
     levee sections.
       Extend and modify the levee alignment to tie into high 
     ground at the new top of levee elevation. This could include 
     the extension of the line of protection to areas which were 
     not previously considered practical to protect, but which due 
     to the higher level of protection may now be necessary and 
     effective;
       Increase the extent and thickness of the riprap on the 
     lakeward side of the levee to assure adequate erosion 
     protection;
       Modification of the pumping stations and/or installation of 
     another pumping station, and modification of interior 
     drainage facilities to accommodate increases in the drainage 
     area behind the levee protected and increased pumping head;
       Additional road relocation work and closures at levee 
     crossing; and,
       Additional utility relocation work.
       If you have any questions regarding the above information, 
     or wish to discuss this matter further, please contact me.
     Sincerely,

                                                  J.M. Wonsik,

                                                 Colonel, Corps of
     Engineers District Engineer.

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