The Dakota Water Resources Act of 2000 (DWRA), as amended to conform to agreements reached with the Administration and representatives from Missouri and Minnesota, passed the US Congress on December 15, 2000. This legislation further amends the Garrison Diversion Reformulation Act of 1986. The DWRA outlines a program to meet the Indian and non-Indian water supply needs in North Dakota. Authorized uses include Municipal, Rural and Industrial (MR&I), fish and wildlife, recreation, irrigation, flood control, stream flow augmentation, and ground water recharge.
The DWRA is a major plus for the wildlife resources of the state and represents a practical and fiscally responsible solution to longstanding controversies surrounding the project. The controversial Lonetree Reservoir is converted to a wildlife management area. Studies underway, in conjunction with the Bureau of Reclamation and North Dakota Game and Fish Department, will lead to the development of a model for nature based tourism opportunities.
North Dakota has agreed to cost share, to its maximum ability, on the rural water system program. A full environmental analysis, as well as a technical evaluation of all the reasonable options for meeting the water needs within the Red River Valley. This study will be submitted to Congress for approval before any transbasin diversion facilities can be constructed.
The DWRA represents a responsible way for North Dakota and the federal government to resolve many of the historical issues surrounding the Garrison Diversion project. The DWRA also represents a serious compromise on the part of the State of North Dakota, while still meeting some of the highest priority water supply needs of the State.