Army Corps of Engineers recommends accreditation for Williston Levee

 

U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Subcommittee on Water, announced today the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has completed a risk assessment for the Williston Levee and is recommending accreditation.

“The recommendation from the Army Corps of Engineers is the major step toward accreditation for the Williston Levee, which would ease property costs on residents and property owners in the potential new flood zone and prevent the city from needlessly looking at flood protection alternatives,” said Senator Cramer. “I thank Major General Spellmon for following through on his promise to review the project, and with the Corps’ recommendation in hand, I urge FEMA to act without delay.”

Howard Klug, the Mayor of Williston, applauded the announcement.

“The City of Williston is grateful for the persistent effort from Senator Cramer and his staff that has finally resulted in a cooperative effort from the Corps of Engineers and FEMA.  Their partnerships in certifying the levee protecting our city will reduce flood insurance costs and improve property values, while sending the right message to the public about the security provided by federal flood control infrastructure,” said Mayor Klug. “This project has been many years in the making and from the very beginning, Senator Cramer was at our side, working towards a successful outcome.  Thank you for helping to cut through the bureaucracy and for your support of western North Dakota!”

The City of Williston has been seeking accreditation since learning the Williston Levee would no longer be accounted for in an updated Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) flood map. After insufficient progress, Senator Cramer inserted language into EPW’s water infrastructure legislation which would require the USACE to work with communities seeking accreditation like Williston. EPW unanimously passed this legislation out of committee in May.

The USACE’s recommendation comes as a direct result of Senator Cramer’s work with USACE Major General Scott Spellmon, who informed Senator Cramer of the recommendation and has been nominated to be the USACE’s Chief of Engineers and Commanding General. His nomination was approved by the Senate Armed Services Committee, which Senator Cramer also sits on. The recommendation will now go to FEMA, an agency over which Senator Cramer has jurisdiction as a member of the Senate Banking Committee.

Read the recommendation here.