[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 92 (Monday, July 17, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S7074]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. CONRAD (for himself and Mr. Dorgan):
  S. 2880. A bill to provide construction assistance for a project for 
a water transmission line from the Missouri River to the city of 
Williston, North Dakota; to the Committee on Environment and Public 
Works.


    construction assistance water project in williston, north dakota

                 the williston water transmission line

  Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce legislation to 
authorize the Army Corps of Engineers to construct a new water 
transmission line from the Missouri River to the city of Williston. 
This project is very important to the reliability of the water supply 
for the residents of Williston and is needed to mitigate long-term 
consequences from construction of the Garrison Dam.
  The construction of the Garrison Dam and creation of Lake Sakakawea 
by the Corps forced the city of Williston to relocate its water intake 
and treatment plant to its present location approximately five miles 
upstream of the city. As a requirement of the new location, a large-
diameter transmission line was constructed to convey the entire city's 
water supply from the treatment plant to the city.
  All of the water for the city's residents and businesses must flow 
through this single transmission line. As a result, the existing 
transmission line is the only link between the water treatment plant 
and the city's water distribution system.
  The existing transmission line has been in service for nearly 40 
years with limited maintenance to date in part because the line runs 
through an area near the river that has become super-saturated due to 
the rising water table behind the dam. As the transmission line 
continues to age, it has become susceptible to failures, as 
demonstrated in April 1998.
  On April 8, 1998, maintenance crews discovered a major leak in the 
transmission line near the water treatment plant. City officials 
immediately alerted residents of the problem and imposed water 
restrictions to essential water uses only. Through an emergency 
declaration, the National Guard was enlisted to install an overland 
pipeline to help provide temporary water for the city. The high water 
table from Lake Sakakawea made repairs difficult with extensive pumping 
and dewatering procedures needed to locate and fix the broken pipeline. 
It took more than two weeks to make the necessary repairs. If the 
failure had occurred during the winter, repairs and temporary water 
service would have been almost impossible to provide. This experience 
supports the need for Williston to have a second transmission line from 
the water treatment plant to the city's water distribution system.
  The bill I am introducing today will authorize the Corps to construct 
a new transmission line. The city has identified a new route for the 
line that provides improved access, avoids unstable site conditions, 
provides potential service for future industrial sites, while 
minimizing the length and cost of the new transmission line.
  Mr. President, I believe the Federal government has a responsibility 
to assist communities mitigate the adverse consequences resulting from 
the construction of the Garrison Dam and creation of Lake Sakakawea. 
The Corps of Engineers built the Garrison Dam which resulted in the 
need for this project, and in my view the Corps should be responsible 
for addressing the unintended consequences of building that dam. This 
bill will help the Federal government live up to its responsibility and 
ensure that the residents of Williston have a reliable water supply. I 
urge my colleagues to review this legislation quickly so we can pass it 
this year, before there is another disruption to the city's water 
supply.
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