[Excerpts from Jan. 23/24, 2003 Sen. Conrad and Dorgan Press Releases]
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.

Among the high profile projects funded by the bill: $40 million for flood control in Grand Forks, $28.5 million for the Garrison Diversion Project, $5 million for the Devils Lake outlet and $3 million for the United Tribes Technical College. Also included is $3 million for Fargo Main Avenue bridge enhancements, funding for other area flood control projects, and $2.078 million for the Red River Recon Study. The additional $1 million above the President's budget request will fund a feasibility study of flood control options in Fargo.

Conrad and Senator Byron Dorgan also turned back an attempt to strip the authorization of $100 million to construct an outlet at Devils Lake to relieve chronic flooding in the closed basin. The amendment, offered by Arizona Senator John McCain and Minnesota Senator Mark Dayton was defeated on an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 62-34.

There were also some big disappointments, Dorgan said. The Senate’s failure to approve an adequate emergency agriculture disaster package – opting at President Bush’s urging to approve only half what is needed and to spread that amount thinly by providing payments to many farmers who suffered no disaster – “was the wrong decision,” Dorgan said. “It really short changes family farmers.”

Conrad Press Release
Dorgan Press Release

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