[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 14 (Thursday, February 10, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S1284]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. CONRAD (for himself and Mr. Dorgan):
  S. 353. A bill to amend the Water Resources Development Act of 1999 
to direct the Secretary of the Army to provide assistance to design and 
construct a project to provide a continued safe and reliable municipal 
water supply system for Devils Lake, to the Committee on Environment 
and Public Works.
  Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce legislation to 
authorize the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to construct a new municipal 
water supply system for the city of Devils Lake, ND. This project is 
very important to the reliability of the water supply for the residents 
of Devils Lake and is needed to mitigate long-term consequences from 
the rising flood waters of Devils Lake.
  As many of my colleagues know, the Devils Lake region has been 
plagued by a flooding disaster since 1993. During that time, Devils 
Lake, a closed basin lake, has risen 25 feet, consuming land, 
destroying homes, and impacting vital infrastructure. As a result of 
this disaster, the city of Devils Lake faces a significant risk of 
losing its water supply. Currently, six miles or approximately one-
third of the city's 40-year-old water transmission line is covered by 
the rising waters of Devils Lake. The submerged section of the water 
line includes numerous gate valves, air relief valves, and blow-off 
discharges.
  All of the water for the city's residents and businesses must flow 
through this single transmission line. It is also the only link between 
the water source and the city's water distribution system. Since the 
transmission line is operated under relatively low pressures and is 
under considerable depths of water, a minor leak could cause 
significant problems. If a failure in the line were to occur, it would 
be almost impossible to identify the leak and make necessary repairs, 
and the city would be left without a water supply.
  The city is in the process of accessing a new water source due both 
to the threat of a transmission line failure and the fact that its 
current water source exceeds the new arsenic standard that will take 
affect in 2006. The city has worked closely with the North Dakota State 
Water Commission in identifying a new water source that will not be 
affected by the rising flood waters and will provide the city with 
adequate water to meet its current and future needs.
  The bill I am introducing today will authorize the Corps to construct 
a new water supply system for the city. I believe the Federal 
Government has a responsibility to assist communities mitigate the 
adverse consequences resulting from this ongoing flooding disaster. In 
my view, the Corps should be responsible for addressing the unintended 
consequences of this flood and mitigate its long-term consequences. 
This bill will help the Federal Government live up to its 
responsibility and ensure that the residents of Devils Lake have a safe 
and reliable water supply. I urge my colleagues to review this 
legislation quickly so we can pass it this year.
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