The Spirit Lake Nation will receive a portion of $10.9 million in federal funding to repair and upgrade water storage reservoirs, the state's congressional delegation announced Wednesday.
The money is being allocated by the U.S. Department of Interior to the Garrison Diversion Unit, according to Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D.; Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D.; and Rep. Rick Berg, R-N.D.
"Clean, safe drinking water is vital to any community," the delegation said in a joint statement. "This funding will allow the Spirit Lake Tribe to replace an aging storage reservoir with a new system that will provide a reliable water supply to communities throughout the region. The project will also provide an economic boost, bringing new, good paying jobs in the area."
Specifically, the funding will allow the Spirit Lake Tribe to replace existing storage reservoirs, known as Spirit Lake-Tokio Tank & School Tank Projects, to ensure reliable water service to the West Fort Totten area of the reservation.
The funding also will be used to replace poor quality wells in Logan and McIntosh counties. Once the regional water supply project is completed, improved potable water service will be available to nearly 300 rural residences in Logan and McIntosh counties.
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The federal funding is in addition to the $16 million provided to Garrison in the Fiscal Year 2012 Energy and Water Appropriations bill, according to the delegation.
