03.21.17

Hoeven Organizes Meeting Between F-M Leaders & OMB Director, Working to Secure Funding for Comprehensive Flood Protection

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator John Hoeven today met with Office and Management and Budget (OMB) Director Mick Mulvaney and Fargo-Moorhead leaders, including Fargo Mayor Tim Mahoney and Moorhead Mayor Del Rae Williams. Hoeven arranged the meeting to secure funding for comprehensive flood protection for the Red River Valley in the Army Corps of Engineers Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 work plan, which OMB must approve, as well as the president’s final FY2018 budget. The senator organized a similar meeting with local leaders, OMB and the Corps in October and stressed the importance of flood protection for the region to Mulvaney during his recent confirmation process.

“We continue to take important steps to secure permanent flood protection for Fargo-Moorhead region,” said Hoeven. “OMB has a vital role in the funding process. That is why we arranged today’s meeting, just as we did with the previous administration, so our local leaders can meet in-person with Director Mulvaney and stress the need to continue advancing comprehensive flood protection for the Red River Valley.          

“It was important to travel to Washington and meet with the new personnel in the Trump Administration about the F-M Diversion Project, which will save the federal government hundreds of millions of dollars through its innovative delivery model and the prevention of flooding emergencies,” said Mayor Mahoney. “I am especially grateful to Senator Hoeven for securing a meeting with OMB Director Mick Mulvaney, which was both productive and impactful. We were also honored to meet with Lieutenant General Todd Semonite, who unequivocally restated his strong support for this project and his commitment to our shared goal of working to mitigate the impacts on those affected by the F-M Diversion. We look forward to continued federal appropriations as we begin construction of this vital project.”

“I appreciate the opportunity to talk about how the Diversion project benefits Moorhead,” said Mayor Williams. “It is a fabulous opportunity to be able to talk directly to the key decision makers. I appreciate Senator Hoeven’s ability to guide the discussion and move us forward.”

Hoeven is working as a member of the Energy and Water Appropriations Committee to ensure the Corps has the funding it needs to sustain the construction of the flood protection. Hoeven wrote and secured language in the FY2016 funding bill that authorized the new construction start for Fargo, which the Army Corps subsequently included in its FY2016 work plan.

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