Hoeven Working to Save North Dakota Taxpayers Well Over $300 Million

Hoeven Working to Save North Dakota Taxpayers Well Over $300 Million

Senator Outlines Impact of FY2026 ENDAWS & Flood Protection Funding Provisions

FARGO, N.D. - Senator John Hoeven, a member of the Senate Energy and Water Development Appropriations Committee, today held a press conference and roundtable to discuss the impact of the funding provisions that he secured in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 appropriations legislation, which benefit water supply projects and flood protection in the Red River Valley and will save North Dakota taxpayers more than $300 million in upfront costs and ongoing operating costs. Specifically, Hoeven worked to advance:

• $50 million and authorization for the Eastern North Dakota Alternate Water Supply (ENDAWS) project:
  • The project uses existing federal infrastructure, including the Snake Creek Pumping Plant and the McClusky Canal, to save the Red River Valley Water Supply Project (RRVWSP):
    • $200 million in construction costs.
    • $4 million in annual operating costs, resulting from less elevation lift and a shorter pumping distance.
  • Hoeven is leading efforts to secure additional funding from the One Big Beautiful Bill (OB3).
    • The OB3 included $1 billion in funding for Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) water conveyance and storage projects, and Hoeven crafted and secured language in the bill to make ENDAWS eligible.
    • Since OB3 passed, Hoeven has been working with the Interior Department for additional funding for ENDAWS, and the OB3 funding awards are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
  • ENDAWS will bring a more reliable, drought-resistant water supply to central and eastern North Dakota, serving over 30 communities and rural water systems.
  • The project received a completed Environmental Impact Study (EIS) and a signed Record of Decision (ROD) in 2021, following Hoeven and the North Dakota delegation's efforts with the BOR.

• His legislation directing the Corps to apply federal savings to reduce the local cost share of flood protection in the Red River Valley, with a goal of transferring $100-$120 million this year.
  • This is the 17th piece of legislation passed by Hoeven to advance flood protection for the Fargo-Moorhead region.
  • These savings are available due to Hoeven's efforts to:
    • Pass legislation to construct comprehensive flood protection utilizing a first-in-the-nation, public-private partnership (P3), a model that saved time and money.
    • Secure the full $750 million federal cost share up front in 2022, which enabled the Army Corps to complete its work ahead of schedule and under budget.
  • This funding will enable the local sponsors to more quickly construct additional project features, helping to further reduce local costs and ensuring more comprehensive protection is in place sooner.

"Between the two provisions we passed last week, we are working to save North Dakota taxpayers well over $300 million. The federal ENDAWS project brings real savings to the Red River Valley Water Supply Project, reducing its construction costs by $200 million and saving $4 million in annual operating costs. At the same time, by enabling the Corps to build its share of flood protection more quickly, we have created savings that can be used to reduce the local cost share, with a goal of securing $100 million to $120 million for the local sponsors this year," said Hoeven. "Under the original model, the federal government would've taken the lead on the entire flood protection project for the Red River Valley. This would've resulted in delays and cost overruns. Our first-in-the-nation P3 model, along with our work to fully fund the $750 million cost share up front, significantly reduced the federal construction timeline and costs. Our legislation transfers those savings to the local sponsors this year, which will reduce the local cost share and save taxpayer money."

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