Red River Basin Decision Information Network

Home >> News Archive

Two River Watch Teachers Nominated for Award -- November 24, 2005
River Watch Teacher-Coordinators Ila LaChapelle, Walhalla High School, and Sara Forness, West Fargo High School, are 2 of three finalists selected from a group of North Dakota teachers nominated for the 2005 Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Teaching.

River Watch Developing Strategic Plan -- November 8, 2005
Red River Basin River Watch is a citizen water quality monitoring program organized and delivered through high schools in northwestern Minnesota. Over the past ten years, the program has grown from one pilot watershed to a network of 29 schools monitoring 150 sites.

Red River of the North Ecosystem Assessment Workshop -- October 3, 2005
With funding from the International Joint Commission, the International Water Institute will host the Red River of the North Ecosystem Assessment Workshop November 2-3, 2005 at the Days Inn Conference Center, Moorhead, MN

Minnesota Association of Floodplain Managers Annual Conference -- August 4, 2005
MnAFPM is happy to announce our 2005 Annual Conference, scheduled for September 12th and 13th at the Courtyard Marriott in Moorhead Minnesota. The focus of the conference will be on Floodplain Management - Risk, Resources, and Results.

Army Corps of Engineers updates flood project -- April 18, 2005
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, provided the cities of Grand Forks, N.D., and East Grand Forks, Minn., with an updated current working estimate for the flood protection project

Corps of Engineers seeks public input on flood -- April 3, 2005
SAINT PAUL, MINN. - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, will host a public workshop this month to present potential federal flood damage reduction plans for Roseau, Minn.

Corps of Engineers previews proposed revisions to flood insurance rate maps for Sheyenne River valley -- April 3, 2005
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will host two public meetings in April to provide preliminary information on proposed revisions to flood insurance rate maps for the Sheyenne River valley, from Baldhill Dam, located near Valley City, N.D., to upstream of Kindred, N.D.

Corps to drawdown Homme Lake by 18 feet -- January 21, 2005
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, changed its annual winter drawdown target today for Homme Lake, located near Park River, N.D., and will now bring the lake to a desired elevation of 1060.0 feet by March 1.

Lake and River Ice Still Too Thin -- December 12, 2004
The ice on lakes and streams has been tested several times in the past two weeks, and has been found to be too weak to support motor vehicles and even people, says George Maher, North Dakota State University Extension Service safety specialist.

Flood Recovery And Historic Preservation - An Important Alliance -- November 30, 2004
Whenever a flooding disaster occurs, a behind-the-scenes effort to preserve each community�s historical heritage is set in motion. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and state historical preservationists help equip communities to make informed decisions on historic properties slated for repair or demolition.

ASHTON ANNOUNCES CREATION OF LAKE MANITOBA STEWARDSHIP BOARD -- October 29, 2004
The province will create the Lake Manitoba Water Stewardship Board to better meet the contemporary water management needs of this important resource, Water Stewardship Minister Steve Ashton announced today. "The stewardship board will assist government in assessing the recommendations of the Lake Manitoba Regulation Review Advisory Committee and improving overall water quality," said Ashton. "The next steps include appointment of board members and the development of long-term action plans."

Corps of Engineers Awards $1 Million Emergency Contract for Additional Protection at Devils Lake, ND -- August 24, 2004
SAINT PAUL, MINN. - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, awarded Park Construction Company, of Minneapolis, a $1 million contract Aug. 20 to begin raising an existing Corps' levee in Devils Lake, N.D. The project consists of raising the existing levee three additional feet to a top elevation of 1,460 feet above mean sea level.

Corps of Engineers Begins New Partnership With North Dakota and Minnesota to Enhance Red River Basin -- August 24, 2004
SAINT PAUL, MINN. - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District; the North Dakota State Water Commission; and the City of Moorhead, Minn., signed a project cooperation agreement Aug. 20 to work together in developing a long-range plan for the Red River basin upstream of Fargo, N.D., and Moorhead.

St. Paul District employee, East Grand Forks, Minn., Resident Receives Second Construction Management Excellence Award -- August 19, 2004
SAINT PAUL, MINN. - The U.S. Army Corps Engineers' headquarters selected East Grand Forks, Minn., resident and Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, employee Virginia Regorrah for the 2003 Construction Management Excellence award. This follows her selection as the Mississippi Valley Division recipient of this award last April.

New District Engineer Commander for Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District -- July 30, 2004
Col. Michael F. Pfenning will assumes command of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, this morning. Pfenning will serve as the district's 62nd commander and district engineer. Prior to this position, he served as chief of the Well-Being Division in the Human Resources Policy Directorate of the Army, Washington, D.C.

Manitoba Water Directory Released -- July 21, 2004
The Manitoba Water Directory will help Manitobans work together on water and aquatic ecosystem matters, Manitoba Water Stewardship Minister Steve Ashton said today. "The directory is a way to help communications between groups and agencies that work on our most important resources: water, aquatic ecosystems and the land that sustains them," said Ashton. "When community groups and agencies know of each other and their activities, partnerships develop, networking begins and resources can be shared to solve common problems.

Corps of Engineers selects contractor to move historical structures in Grand Forks, ND -- July 6, 2004
SAINT PAUL, MINN. - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, awarded A & S, LLC, of Climax, Minn., a $648,000 contract June 23 to relocate five historically significant structures in Grand Forks, N.D., as part of its flood control project there.

ND Gov Proclaims Statewide Agricultural Emergency -- June 25, 2004
Gov. John Hoeven today issued a statewide agricultural emergency declaration in response to drought conditions in the southwest and excessive precipitation in the northeast and north central, which have seriously affected the agricultural industry and its related service providers statewide.

DHS Under Secretary Brown to Visit Devils Lake -- June 4, 2004
Senators Kent Conrad and Byron Dorgan, Congressman Earl Pomeroy and Governor John Hoeven announced today that the nation's emergency chief has accepted their invitation to personally come to North Dakota and observe the Devils Lake flood crisis

Army Corps of Engineers Monitors Roseau Flood -- May 18, 2004
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, will spend the next few days monitoring levees it helped raise and reinforce in Roseau, Minn., May 12-14. The emergency levee raise was in response to a request from the State of Minnesota for the Corps of Engineers to provide resources to protect the city to a stage of 23 feet on the Roseau River, in response to the forecasted high-water levels.

Major Disaster Declared for North Dakota -- May 6, 2004
Federal disaster funds have been made available to help communities in northeastern North Dakota recover from the effects of flooding that started in late March, the head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today.

MB Announces Funding for New Watershed Initiatives -- May 5, 2004
Over $1 million will be earmarked for new water initiatives with a focus on Lake Winnipeg, Water Stewardship Minister Steve Ashton announced today. Funds will be committed to efforts to restore Lake Winnipeg water quality to 1970 levels.

MN Severe Weather Awareness Week April 19-23 -- April 19, 2004
Even as Minnesotans welcome the onset of spring, they must remember that severe thunderstorms, tornadoes and floods are almost certain to follow. To raise awareness of these dangerous possibilities, state and county emergency managers, the Red Cross and the National Weather Service conduct educational and preparedness activities during Severe Weather Awareness Week.

Hoeven Declares Flood Emergency For North Dakota -- March 30, 2004
On Monday, Gov. John Hoeven requested an emergency flood declaration to assist counties affected by overland, stream and river flooding in North Dakota. Heavy rainfall, combined with frozen ground and ice-impacted drains, streams, and rivers, has severely affected public health and safety, as well as economic and environmental interests in the flooded areas.

Agreement on CREP Reached in Minnesota -- March 29, 2004
Minnesota's plan to set aside tens of thousands of acres of environmentally sensitive agriculture land to prevent run-off into streams and rivers will move to the next step after an agreement announced today by Governor Tim Pawlenty, Congressman Gil Gutknecht, Congressman Colin Peterson, and representatives of conservation and agricultural stakeholders.

Corps Awards Phase 3 Contract for Grand Forks Project -- March 26, 2004
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, awarded Construction Engineers, Ltd., of Grand Forks, N.D., a $14.5 million contract March 16 to construct the phase three levees at its Grand Forks, N.D., flood control project.

NOAA Issues 2004 U.S. Spring Outlook -- March 19, 2004
Following a highly variable winter, scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Weather Service (NWS) expect drought concerns to continue in parts of the West, while less snow and warmer conditions in the upper Midwest foretell a lower than normal risk of snowmelt flooding this year. NOAA is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce. The predictions were made at a press conference held in Washington, D.C. today.

-- March 10, 2004
The roles and responsibilities of a new provincial agency that would manage the expansion and maintenance of the Red River Floodway are proposed in the Floodway Authority Act, introduced today by Water Stewardship Minister Steve Ashton.

-- March 9, 2004
Large-scale, long-lasting droughts in the United States tend to be linked to warmer than normal sea surface temperatures in the North Atlantic Ocean, and not just cooling in the tropical Pacific, according to a USGS study published today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

-- February 26, 2004
Manitoba's spring flood potential is relatively low in the Red River Valley but localized flooding of low-lying agricultural lands could occur in some watersheds. In its first spring flood and water supply outlook for 2004, the Hydrologic Forecast Centre suggests that, despite above average snow in many areas, dry soil conditions and low ground areas are expected to absorb most of the run-off from melting snow.

-- February 23, 2004
The Nature Conservancy, an international non-profit conservation organization, is seeking broad participation in an effort to develop a map of the priority areas for stream and river conservation in the Northern Tallgrass Prairie Ecoregion. To launch this effort there will be two workshops to begin identifying these locations.

-- February 9, 2004
The Western Governors' Association (WGA) is seeking comment through March 1, 2004 on the draft report, A Drought Early Warning System for the 21st Century: The National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS).

-- January 27, 2004
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, today awarded the East Grand Forks Phase 3 project to Industrial Contract Services, Inc. of Grand Forks, N.D. The project was awarded for $12 million and is expected to be completed by December 2005.

-- January 15, 2004
Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the nomination of three major watershed projects for funding through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Watershed Initiative. The projects include the Root River Watershed Project, the Hawk Creek Project and the Clearwater River Project. EPA's Watershed Initiative program will award approximately $20 million in grants to as many as 20 watershed projects around the nation.

-- January 13, 2004
Saying that protecting and improving Minnesota's waters, forests and wildlife are crucial to an exceptional quality of life, Governor Pawlenty yesterday committed a substantial portion of his 2004 bonding proposal to environmental enhancement projects. Approximately $147.4 million will fund waters, parks and trails, forests, wildlife habitat and flood mitigation efforts in Minnesota.

-- January 12, 2004
The International Joint Commission has recently published two reports on the Red River, including Flood Preparedness and Mitigation in the Red River Basin and the Fourth Annual Progress Report of the International Red River Board (IRRB). Both reports may be accessed from the IJC Web site.

-- December 23, 2003
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has scheduled a series of public informational meetings to discuss an update of the list of lakes and stream segments in Minnesota that are considered "impaired" and need to be cleaned up under federal law.

-- December 22, 2003
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, and the city of Fargo, N.D., completed the building of a rock slope fishway at the Fargo South Dam on the Red River early last week. The fishway is part of the Fargo South Dam Fishway Project.

-- December 16, 2003
President Bush, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) today reiterated the Administration's commitment to the goal of "no net loss" of wetlands in the United States. EPA and the Corps announced that they would not issue a new rule on federal regulatory jurisdiction over isolated wetlands.

-- December 8, 2003
Manitoba Premier Gary Doer and Allan Rock, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Infrastructure, today announced the signing of a $240 million joint funding agreement to support the expansion of the Red River Floodway around Winnipeg. This is the largest federal-provincial investment partnership in Manitoba since the construction of the original Floodway in the 60s.

-- December 5, 2003
Gov. John Hoeven today announced that the North Dakota State Water Commission has approved the expenditure of up to $19 million to construct North Dakota's Devils Lake Outlet. The unanimous vote clears the way to begin bidding the remaining portions of the project.

-- November 25, 2003
Building on their 2001 commitment to clean, safe and secure water for all Canadians, environment ministers meeting in Victoria B.C. today reaffirmed water issues as a priority, and agreed to explore conservation measures, including economic considerations, public education and the need for better information.

-- November 17, 2003
The City of Selkirk is the first Manitoba community to receive a certificate of recognition for exceeding emergency preparedness requirements, Scott Smith, minister responsible for the Manitoba Emergency Measures Organization (EMO), said today.

-- November 10, 2003
Taking the next step toward the development of a high-tech research corridor in North Dakota's Red River Valley, U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND) today announced the formation of a steering committee to guide his idea well into the future.

-- November 6, 2003
U.S. Senators Byron Dorgan and Kent Conrad and U.S. Representative Earl Pomeroy announced Thursday that a joint House-Senate Conference Committee approved more than $68 million in funding for several major flood control, water system and energy projects in North Dakota. Senator Dorgan is a member of the conference committee that finalized the bill Wednesday.

-- November 4, 2003
Focusing more effectively on public priorities and modernizing government for the future are the goals of cabinet changes that include new emphasis on water stewardship and healthy living, Premier Gary Doer announced today.

-- October 28, 2003
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, awarded Rising Sun Construction, Inc., of Fargo, N.D., a $768,000 contract Oct. 28 to construct its South Dam Fishway project. Construction is scheduled to begin this fall and be completed within one year.

-- October 24, 2003
Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) granted the state's formal request for 62 Minnesota counties to be declared agricultural disaster areas. North Dakota Gov. John Hoeven has sent a letter to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman requesting a Secretarial Disaster Declaration for 47 North Dakota counties.

-- October 15, 2003
The U.S. Army's Chief of Engineers, Lt. Gen. Robert B. Flowers, has signed a record of decision recommending an outlet at Devils Lake, North Dakota to reduce flood damages there and to reduce the risk of a natural overflow from the lake.

-- October 13, 2003
Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty today proposed a quarter billion dollar initiative to set aside 100,000 acres of land near environmentally sensitive waterways. The Governor's proposal would expand the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) in Minnesota to dramatically reduce runoff into the state's rivers, streams, wetlands and groundwater.

-- October 7, 2003
The US Army Corps of Engineers is moving ahead with its new organization plan, USACE 2012, to streamline internal processes and reduce the delivery time when compared to past business practices.

-- September 30, 2003
Manitobans will receive information on potential emergencies in a more timely and consistent manner as a result of a new joint emergency alert system being phased in by the Manitoba government and the Broadcasters Association of Manitoba (BAM), Scott Smith, minister responsible for the Emergency Measures Organization (EMO), announced today.

-- September 26, 2003
A new waste water treatment plan for the City of Winnipeg will improve water quality in the Red River and Lake Winnipeg, Conservation Minister Steve Ashton said today.

-- September 18, 2003
The Commissioners of the U.S. Section, International Joint Commission, (IJC) are pleased to announce that they have selected Elizabeth (Lisa) C. Bourget as Secretary of the U.S. Section. Ms. Bourget will assume responsibilities as U.S. Section Secretary immediately.

-- September 5, 2003
Senator Mark Dayton said today over $4 million has been approved for vital Minnesota projects, including funding for flood recovery in Roseau, affordable housing and improvements in criminal justice information systems.

-- August 27, 2003
Fourteen Norman County homeowners who have experienced the devastation and distress of being flooded out of their homes all too often will never have to worry about that threat again, thanks to emergency relief from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today by Senator Norm Coleman.

-- August 26, 2003
The US Army Corps of Engineers has released a draft reorganization plan today that will improve operations throughout the organization. Most of the structural changes will occur at the Washington and regional offices. The Corps will take comments until Sep. 8.

-- August 22, 2003
The North Dakota Department of Health has issued a North Dakota Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit to the North Dakota State Water Commission for an outlet on Devils Lake.

-- August 20, 2003
The province of Manitoba has received the final report on the Clean Environment Commission's (CEC's) review of the City of Winnipeg's waste water systems, Conservation Minister Steve Ashton has announced.

-- August 18, 2003
Manitoba Premier, Gary Doer, together with Allan Rock, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Infrastructure, and Rey Pagtakhan, Minister of Veterans Affairs, today announced at the Forks, that the Governments of Canada and Manitoba will each contribute $40 million towards Manitoba flood protection.

-- August 11, 2003
Making wise decisions about water resources requires access to good data, but until now, finding and accessing up-to-date water quality information required a fair amount of detective work. That's no longer the case because the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has made water quality data available through its Environmental Data Access (EDA) Web page.

-- August 8, 2003
To ensure that Americans and citizens around the globe have clean water for domestic, agricultural, commercial and recreational uses, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is partnering with America's Clean Water Foundation and the International Water Association to urge people around the world to test the quality of their streams, lakes, wetlands, and coastal waters. The first World Water Monitoring Day will be held Oct. 18, 2003.

-- August 5, 2003
 The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency signed a project cooperative agreement July 31 to document drained wetland basins in Minnesota's Minnesota and Red River watersheds.

-- July 28, 2003
 Floodway Authority CEO Ernie Gilroy announced today that the formal environmental licensing process for the expansion of the Red River Floodway is underway.

-- July 24, 2003
 Premier Gary Doer met with Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty today to discuss a number of issues including trade, BSE, water, energy, security and tourism. It was Doer's first meeting with the new Minnesota governor.

-- July 16, 2003
 Water projects throughout North Dakota received a big boost today, as U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND) restored funding in a Senate appropriations bill for a series of projects substantially underfunded by President Bush's fiscal year 2004 budget.

-- July 15, 2003
 Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced he will visit Northwest, Southeast and Southwest Minnesota over the course of the next two weeks to review Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) proposals by local officials.

-- July 8, 2003
 The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has released an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) for public review of a proposed fish and wildlife habitat restoration and flood control project in the Hay Creek watershed in central Roseau County.

-- July 7, 2003
The Red River is listed as number 8 on a top ten list of Canada's most endangered rivers, developed by Earthwild International and Wildcanada.net in observation of the International Year of Clean Water.

-- June 24, 2003
Governor Tim Pawlenty today outlined his vision for improving the state's water quality during a speech to more than 250 environmental stakeholders from across the state.

-- June 19, 2003
City officials from Grand Forks will meet in Washington, DC this week with officials from the White House and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to make the case that the President's proposed budget cut for the Grand Forks flood control project is unwise.

-- June 12, 2003
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, released its draft General Reevaluation Report and Environmental Assessment for a flood control project on the Park River at Grafton, N.D., today. The draft report identifies a recommended flood control plan for the city of Grafton.

-- June 9, 2003
Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response, announced today grants totaling $1.7 million that will be provided to states and U.S. territories to support the Multi-hazard Flood Map Modernization program. The $1.7 million is considered the first phase of the grant funds that will be disbursed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the program.

-- June 4, 2003
Effective June 16, 2003, small businesses may apply to the Small Business Administration for low interest, fixed rate loans for the purpose of implementing mitigation measures that will protect their commercial real property (building) or leasehold improvements or contents from disaster related damage.

-- May 27, 2003
Environment Canada has charged the City of Winnipeg with one count of violating subsection 36 (3) of the Fisheries Act following an investigation into the September 2002 sewage spill into the Red River.

-- May 19, 2003
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, awarded Comstock Construction, Inc., of Wahpeton, N.D., a $4 million contract May 16 to construct stage one of its Wahpeton flood control project. The Corps also awarded Wanzek Construction, Inc., of Fargo, N.D., a $1.9 million contract May 16 as part of its Breckenridge, Minn., flood control project.

-- May 9, 2003
The Open GIS Consortium (OGC) announces OGC User Magazine, a free quarterly e-mail publication that highlights the use of OpenGIS® Specifications in building world class, interoperable solutions for spatial and related technologies. The first issue is currently online.

-- April 30, 2003
Ernie Gilroy has been appointed to head up work on the Red River Floodway expansion project, Conservation Minister Steve Ashton announced today. Gilroy, who is retiring shortly from his position as manager of the City of Winnipeg's Executive Policy Committee Secretariat, has agreed to a one-year contract with the Floodway Expansion Interim Management Authority, established to oversee the entire floodway expansion project.

-- April 21, 2003
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is promulgating a final rule to revise 33 CFR part 203, "Emergency Employment of Army and Other Resources, Natural Disaster Procedures." Today's final rule completes the rulemaking process initiated on February 26, 2002.

-- April 21, 2003
Conservation Minister Steve Ashton today released Manitobas Water Strategy which sets out plans to protect the provinces water from source to tap while meeting the needs of all Manitobans.

-- April 9, 2003
The Minister of Conservation has instructed the Commission to release its Interim Report on Public Hearings respecting the City of Winnipeg discharge of untreated sewage into the Red River on September 16, 2002.

-- April 8, 2003
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released its Devils Lake, N.D., final Integrated Planning Report and Environmental Impact Statement for public comment on April 8.

-- April 3, 2003
Prime Minister Jean Chrétien and Manitoba Premier Gary Doer today announced that their governments would each contribute $80 million towards the expansion of the Manitoba Red River Floodway. This is the largest federal-provincial infrastructure investment partnership in Manitoba since the construction of the floodway.

-- March 31, 2003
The Honourable John McCallum, Minister of National Defence and Minister Responsible for Emergency Preparedness, today announced the Government of Canada's final payments under the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements (DFAA) to the Province of Manitoba for flooding that occurred in 1995 and 1996.

-- March 28, 2003
Spring flooding will be limited to portions of the upper Assiniboine River and the Duck Mountain area in western Manitoba, while the Red River Valley and other areas of Manitoba will escape flooding with normal spring weather, according to the Manitoba Conservation Water Branch's second and final spring flood and water supply outlook.

-- March 25, 2003
Governor Tim Pawlenty and U.S. Senator Norm Coleman announced today that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) released more than $7 million to help the city of Roseau repair flood damage, help the city of Lake Saint Croix Beach prevent flood damage, and help rural electric cooperatives minimize power outages.

-- March 24, 2003
Burning restrictions will be implemented by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources over much of central and northern Minnesota within the next two weeks. The purpose of the fire restrictions is to reduce the large number of wildfires caused by vegetative debris burning and to reduce personal property damage.

Office in Winnipeg to Remain Open -- March 13, 2003
The Honourable David Anderson, Minister of the Environment, today announced an investment of $75 million over five years that will allow the Meteorological Service of Canada (MSC) to improve the quality of its forecasts and its service to Canadians in all regions.

-- March 3, 2003
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has established an Interagency Geospatial Preparedness Team (IGPT) to help make geospatial information and technologies more readily available to the national community of emergency managers and responders.

-- February 28, 2003
The potential for spring flooding is quite low across most of southern Manitoba because of below average snow cover, according to the Manitoba Conservation Water Branch's first spring run-off outlook for the year, based on watershed conditions as of late February. A flood potential exists in portions of western Manitoba where soil moisture and snow cover are above average.

-- February 26, 2003
The Army's Chief of Engineers, Lieutenant General Robert B. Flowers, has identified a constructed outlet at Pelican Lake as the preferred alternative to alleviate flood damage at Devils Lake in North Dakota if the lake continues to rise.

-- February 18, 2003
A provincial action plan to help protect Lake Winnipeg, including the establishment of a new Lake Winnipeg Stewardship Board and new regulations to help maintain forests and vegetation along the Red and Assiniboine rivers, was announced today by Conservation Minister Steve Ashton.

-- February 17, 2003
On Tuesday, February 18th, 2003 the Manitoba Clean Environment Commission, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (Freshwater Institute), and Manitoba Conservation are sponsoring a public forum to discuss the current status and future of freshwater.

-- February 10, 2003
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) announced today that it has released new software that allows users to estimate flood flows for streams throughout the United States. The new software, version 3 of the National Flood Frequency (NFF) Program, provides estimates of flood flows having recurrence intervals of 2 to 500 years for user-selected sites on rural and urban streams.

-- January 30, 2003
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman today announced that the proposed rule for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, reauthorized in the 2002 Farm Bill, is being released today for publication in the Federal Register for public comment.

-- January 28, 2003
On Tuesday, January 28, 2003, in response to motions filed by Dr. John Sinclair, the Manitoba Clean Environment Commission announced its decision to obtain additional information and resume its hearings on the City of Winnipeg's September release of raw sewage into the Red River by early April 2003.

Devils Lake, Grand Forks Flood Control funding included -- January 24, 2003
The U.S. Senate approved a massive appropriations package late Thursday night, and U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee -- said it includes major funding for a number high profile North Dakota projects.

"Managing Flood Hazard and Risk" -- January 22, 2003
The Independent Expert Panel on Flood Mitigation offers recommendations which include steps to reduce flood damage potential, areas of further research, and elements of institutions and policy environments to be strengthened or developed in order to deal with flood hazards.

-- January 21, 2003
A thin snow pack is raising concerns that stream flows and water supplies will be low for the spring and summer in several Western states, forecasters at the NOAA National Weather Service said today. In its latest drought assessment, the NOAA Climate Prediction Center said severe drought continues over most of the interior Western states and the central and northern Plains.

-- January 17, 2003
An independent review of the flooding at the North End Water Pollution Control Centre has concluded that “the event did not result through negligence” but that “the flooding was a result of inadequate operating and maintenance procedures.”

-- January 16, 2003
The Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, and the Wild Rice Watershed District signed an agreement Jan. 10 to begin a $2.2 million, two-year feasibility study that will look at flood damage reduction and natural resource restoration on the Wild Rice River.

-- January 11, 2003
Legislation (H.R. 11) reauthorizing The National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 was passed by Unanimous Consent of the U.S. Senate on January 9th and cleared for the President's signature. The reauthorization will be retroactive to December 31, 2002.

-- January 10, 2003
Tom Koopmeiners, USACE St. Paul, District deputy for small business, will present "Doing Business with the Corps of Engineers," on Feb. 25 in Breckenridge and on Feb. 26 in East Grand Forks. Koopmeiners will discuss how to find out where upcoming Corps projects will be, as well as where to find bidding information on these projects.

-- December 27, 2002
 The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in conjunction with the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Interior, and Transportation, have strengthened their commitment to achieve the goal of no net loss of our Nation’s wetlands with the release of a comprehensive action plan and improved guidance to ensure effective, scientifically-based restoration of wetlands impacted by development activities.

-- December 20, 2002
 The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced that it is proposing to withdraw the July 2000 final rule which revised EPA's Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) program under the Clean Water Act. The 2000 rule was determined to be unworkable based on reasons described by thousands of comments and was challenged in court by some two dozen parties.

-- December 16, 2002
In a news conference today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Christie Whitman, joined by Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman, announced a final rule that will require all large Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) to obtain permits that will ensure they protect America's waters from wastewater and manure.

-- December 12, 2002
Gov. John Hoeven announced today that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has released $454,671 in federal grant funds to the North Dakota Division of Emergency Management. The federal dollars are from the 2002 Supplemental Appropriations Act for Further Recovery from and Response to Terrorist Attacks on the United States.

to Complete Red River Valley Water Supply Study -- December 10, 2002
 U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan said it is past time for the Bureau of Reclamation to fulfill its responsibilities under law to devise a plan for meeting the Valley's future water needs at a hearing he held at the American Legion Hall in Fargo on Monday night.

-- December 10, 2002
The Government of Canada announced today that amendments to the International Boundary Waters Treaty Act (IBWTA) and related regulations have come into force. Regulations include the prohibition of bulk removal of boundary waters from Canadian basins for any purpose, including export.

as Part of Red River Floodway Expansion -- December 9, 2002
 Manitoba is developing new initiatives to protect Selkirk area residents as part of the expansion of the Red River Floodway, Premier Gary Doer and Conservation Minister Steve Ashton announced on Dec. 5th.

-- December 4, 2002
Two new Commissioners were sworn in and formally assumed their duties at a meeting of the International Joint Commission (IJC) in Washington, D.C. Tuesday. Ms. Irene B. Brooks and Mr.Allen I. Olson were appointed to the IJC by by President George W. Bush and confirmed by the Senate.

-- December 2, 2002
President Bush signed the North American Wetlands Conservation Act on Monday, which reauthorizes the program for an additional five years. The law authorizes federal money to match donations from sportsmen, state wildlife agencies, conservationists and landowners.

-- November 29, 2002
Wenesdays throne speech focused on taking further action to build the economy, enhance health care and education, and modernize the Red River Floodway.

-- November 25, 2002
 The Province of Manitoba has issued a special warrant to deal with emergency expenditures for the 2002-03 fiscal year by providing an additional $9 million for emergency expenditures resulting from unexpected flooding and forest fires.

-- November 21, 2002
 It has been determined that the mechanical failure at the North End Water Pollution Control Centre in September that resulted in raw sewage flowing directly to the river was caused by a broken guide inside a large suction valve.

Draft Strategic Plan Available for Public Comment -- November 20, 2002
 The United States Climate Change Science Program will hold a comprehensive Workshop on the U.S. Climate Change Science Program, from December 3 to 5, 2002 in Washington, DC to receive comments on a discussion draft version of its Strategic Plan for climate change and global change studies.

Doing Business With the Corps of Engineers -- November 19, 2002
 Tom Koopmeiners, USACE St. Paul, District deputy for small business, will present "Doing Business with the Corps of Engineers," Wednesday, Dec. 11, in Alexandria, Minn. Koopmeiners will discuss how to find out where upcoming Corps projects will be, as well as where to find bidding information on these projects.

Disaster Management to be Studied -- November 18, 2002
 By unanimous consent, and without amendment, the U.S. Senate passed the e-Government Act of 2001 during last Friday's (Nov. 15) session. The purpose of the Act is to enhance the management and promotion of electronic Government services and processes.

Expands Access to the Manitoba Farm and Rural Stress Line -- November 14, 2002
 The Manitoba Farm and Rural Stress Line Web site to help farmers, rural residents and professionals find resources for coping with stress was unveiled by Agriculture and Food Minister Rosann Wowchuk at the Provincial Livestock Expo.

Cass County to Detail Voluntary Greenway Program to Landowners -- November 7, 2002
 Cass County will be conducting a public information meeting Thursday night [Nov. 7] to explain a new property grant program to landowners with property along the Red and Wild Rice Rivers south of Fargo. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at Bennett Elementary School, 2000 58th Avenue South, Fargo.

for Winnipeg Waste Water System Review -- November 1, 2002
 The Manitoba Clean Environment Commission has released the public hearing schedule to review the current operation and future upgrading of the City of Winnipeg waste water collection and treatment systems. The hearings have been scheduled for Jan. 20 - 22 in Winnipeg and Jan. 27 - 28 in Selkirk.

-- October 24, 2002
Manitoba Conservation has extended the deadline for completing individual flood proofing projects under the 1997 Red River Valley Home and Business Flood Proofing Program. All approved projects must now be completed by the end of the 2002 construction season and all claims for eligible expenses must be received before March 31, 2003, to ensure payment.

-- October 22, 2002
A coalition of state agencies and citizen groups today called for a new approach to what they maintain is one of the most critical issues facing Minnesota: The growing threats to the state's natural environment. Dubbed "Half A Cent For Nature," the groups' proposal calls for dedicating half a cent of the sales tax on each dollar's purchases to Minnesota's natural environment.

-- October 18, 2002
On the 30th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) today announced a new standardized web-searchable database of environmental methods that will allow scientists and managers monitoring water quality to compare data collection methods at a glance and find the method that best meets their needs.

-- October 17, 2002
Wednesday evening, the Senate passed HR 2486, the Inland Flood Forecasting and Warning System Act of 2002. The bill is now heading to the President for signature.

-- October 15, 2002
To mark the 30th anniversary of the Clean Water Act on October 18, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and six midwest states have issued a report on their successes, goals and challenges for improving water quality in the region that includes Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin.

-- October 14, 2002
The latest El Niño is expected to bring a milder winter to most parts of southern Canada and possibly drier conditions to the prairies.

-- October 8, 2002
Gov. John Hoeven today recognized a recently signed memorandum of agreement between the State of North Dakota and the Province of Manitoba. The Buffalo Creek Channel accord will improve drainage across the international boundary, and minimize the flooding of thousands of acres of productive farmland for the mutual economic benefit of both the State and the Province.

-- October 1, 2002
The Federal Emergency Management Agency published a new Interim Final Rule in the October 1, 2002 Federal Register that extends the date that State and local mitigation plans are required for post-disaster assistance to Nov. 1, 2004.

for Grand Forks and East Grand Forks Flood Control Project -- September 25, 2002
 The Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, provided the cities of Grand Forks, N.D., and East Grand Forks, Minn., with an updated current working estimate for the flood protection project on the Red River of the North today. The current working estimate now stands at $387 million, down $10 million from the estimates provided in March.

Independent Panels Will Conduct Reviews -- September 23, 2002
 All plant processes are running well on two pumps at Winnipeg's North End Water Pollution Control Centre, and as of early Saturday morning, two additional pumps are ready if needed.

-- September 20, 2002
On Sept. 19, the Legislature, convened in special session, approved nearly $32 million in relief for the 19 counties damaged by severe storms and heavy rains in June.

-- September 19, 2002
The North End Water Pollution Control Centre is back in service following a mechanical failure Monday that resulted in 230,000 cubic metres of raw sewage being released into the Red River per day.

-- September 18, 2002
The United States Army Corps of Engineers released the draft Civil Works Strategic Plan for a 30-day comment period. The objective of the plan is to provide a framework for the Corps' Civil Works Program to continue to contribute to the sustainability of the Nation's water and land-related resources.

-- September 17, 2002
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman announced that $94 million will be released for the Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP) in 36 states and nearly $10 million in previously unallocated FY2002 funds for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) in 14 states severely impacted by drought.

-- September 13, 2002
Governor Jesse Ventura said he will call a special session of the Minnesota Legislature for next Thursday, September 19, at noon to deal with disaster relief for Roseau and other areas hit by floods this year.

-- September 12, 2002
After months of developing in the tropical Pacific Ocean, El Ni�o is poised to influence fall and winter weather across the United States, NOAA�s top climate experts said Thursday.

-- September 10, 2002
Federal disaster funds have been made available for North Dakota to help communities recover from the effects of a lengthy bout of extreme weather that began in early June, according to the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Agrees to Special Session of Legislature -- September 6, 2002
 Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura today announced a $500,000 grant to the City of Roseau to assist with the city's continuing flood recovery and protection activities. He also said he will call a special legislative session when legislative and administration negotiators agree on a specific plan and how to pay for it.

Saskatoon, October 22-23 -- September 3, 2002
 The Canadian Society of Hydrological Sciences, an affiliate of the Canadian Water Resources Association, is hosting a workshop entitled "Hydrological Forecasting: Bridging Operations and Research" October 22-23, 2002 in Saskatoon, SK.

Operation of Winnipeg Floodway Not Anticipated -- September 3, 2002
 Manitoba Conservation's River Forecast Centre reports that another crest is developing on the Red River due to heavy rain in the United States portion of the watershed last week. Areas from Grand Forks to the International Boundary received between 75 and 150 mm of rain. The Red Lake River basin east of Grand Forks was also hard hit.

Flood Watch for Southern Manitoba Cancelled -- August 30, 2002
 The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for counties in eastern North Dakota and western Minnesota for Friday night through Saturday.

for Red River Flood Management and Preparedness -- August 30, 2002
 A Web-based support system for the Red River Valley is now accessible on the Manitoba Government Web site. The system will increase access to vital information on flood management and preparedness for the general public and emergency personnel.

Red Lake River Expected to Crest Today -- August 29, 2002
 The River Forecast Centre of Manitoba Conservation advises that heavy downpours of 100 to 150 mm have been reported in the Pembina River watershed from La Riviere to the U.S. boundary Tuesday. The rain was intense and was producing significant run-off and overland flooding. However, no communities were threatened.

-- August 20, 2002
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a notice entitled "Watershed Initiative: Call for Nominations" in today's edition of the Federal Register. The notice sets forth the process that will be used for selecting up to 20 watersheds throughout the country for project funding and serves as the call for nominations from Governors and Tribal Leaders.

-- August 16, 2002
The National Center for Atmospheric Research, University of Colorado has published a report that updates, extends, and re-analyzes the nation's flood damage data. The report,"Flood Damage in the United States, 1926-2000: A Reanalysis of National Weather Service Estimates," was released in June 2002, and is a new look at flood damage estimates that were collected by the National Weather Service (NWS) between 1925 and 2000.

for Flood-control Project -- August 15, 2002
 The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, and the city of Breckenridge, Minn., signed a project cooperation agreement Aug. 15 to begin building a high-flow diversion channel and two separable permanent levee reaches north of Ottertail River to protect the city from flooding.

-- August 14, 2002
In a continued effort to expedite emergency disaster aid to areas hard hit by adverse weather conditions, Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman today announced counties in Minnesota as disaster areas, making farmers and ranchers immediately eligible for USDA emergency (EM) farm loans due to crop losses.

Consultations with Canada May Take an Additional 6-12 Months -- August 13, 2002
 North Dakota Gov. John Hoeven issued a statement today following a phone call with Lt. General Robert B. Flowers, Commanding General/Chief of Engineers of the Army Corps of Engineers. The General indicated that the final Environmental Impact Statement for the Devils Lake project will be delayed.

Priorities for Annual Premiers' Conference -- July 30, 2002
 Health care and climate change will be among Premier Gary Doers top priorities at the 2002 Annual Premiers Conference. This years meeting will be held in Halifax, N.S., from July 31 to Aug. 2. Other key topics to be discussed by the premiers will be federal plans to cut disaster assistance payments for floods.

-- July 23, 2002
On the start of construction of new University of North Dakota (UND) Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) facilities, a public groundbreaking celebration has been set for Tuesday, July 30, at 1:00 p.m.

Public Assistance Made Available for Five New Counties -- July 22, 2002
A total of $13,043,253 in grants and loans has been approved through July 18th. Goodhue, Hubbard, Itasca, McLeod and Wright counties are now eligible for public assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help recover from the floods that swept through Minnesota beginning June 9.

-- July 19, 2002
Gov. John Hoeven issued a flood disaster proclamation Friday and asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to assist state, local and tribal officials in conducting a Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA) for Public Assistance in five counties and one Indian reservation. Counties and tribal lands included in the assessment are Grand Forks, Pembina, Traill, Walsh, Stutsman and the Three Affiliated Tribes.

Public Comments Will Be Accepted Through August 7, 2002 -- July 16, 2002
 The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has released a draft list of lakes and stream segments in Minnesota that are considered "impaired" and need to be cleaned up under federal law. The MPCA solicits the public's comments on the list through August 7, 2002.