Dorgan to chair hearings on flood-control issues for Bismarck-Mandan, Emmons and Mercer counties

U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) announced today that he will chair two official Senate field hearings next week to examine options for permanent flood control in Bismarck, Mandan and Mercer and Emmons counties. The field hearings will be held at the Bismarck City Commission Chamber.

Dorgan is chairman of the Senate Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee, which funds the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and all of its flood-control projects. Among those he has invited to testify at the hearings are local officials and Col. Robert Ruch, commander of the Corps of Engineers Omaha District.

“We experienced an unprecedented amount of flooding in nearly every corner of the state last spring,” Dorgan said. “I believe that experience made clear that we need to take a close look at all of the communities that were affected and evaluate what needs to be done to improve flood control capabilities. This hearing will help gather the information we need to determine what we can do to better protect these communities.”

Dorgan will hold the hearing on Bismarck-Mandan flood control on Nov. 11, at 7:15 p.m.

His hearing on flood control in Emmons and Mercer counties will be held Nov. 12, with two panels starting at 10 a.m.

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