DEVILS LAKE, N.D. (AP) -- The Democratic candidate for North Dakota agriculture commissioner says landowners around Devils Lake should be paid for their flooded land.
Merle Boucher proposed the idea Tuesday to a North Dakota legislative committee that is studying water issues.
Boucher says the state could buy the flooded land or agree to long-term leases. He says officials also need to consider the tax effects of compensation payments.
Devils Lake has risen almost 30 feet since the early 1990s. It has flooded thousands of acres of neighboring farm and pasture land, and the lake is still rising.
Landowners have gone to court before to try to force the state and local water boards to pay them for their flooded land. Their claims were rejected.
