Officials doubt fed funding for North Dakota water project

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — Officials pushing for a project to bring Missouri River water to the Red River Valley to protect against extended droughts are losing faith that any federal funding will be approved.

Officials with the Lake Agassiz Water Authority are sketching out plans for a project that could be paid for solely by state government and local water users. But a spokesman for Gov. Jack Dalrymple tells The Forum newspaper that state officials still are operating under the presumption that the federal government will provide its share of funding.

The $660 million Red River Valley project would move Missouri River water to eastern North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota. It passed an environmental review five years ago but has not been given final federal approval.

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