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Senator Klobuchar Paves the Way for More Than $82 Million in Water Infrastructure Projects for Minnesota

Congress sends bill to President Bush for approval

September 24, 2007

Washington, D.C. – Senator Amy Klobuchar announced today that Minnesota could receive more than $82 million as part of the Water Resources and Development Act (WRDA) for vital water infrastructure projects. The bill, approved by the full Senate with a vote of 81-12, authorizes funding for principal state projects that help keep water quality safe, enhance navigation along rivers, and protect communities from flooding.

“We want our Minnesota communities to keep growing and developing. That means the proper infrastructure, from clean drinking water facilities to flood mitigation systems, must be in place,” said Klobuchar. “This bill gives us the tools to complete the essential projects needed to keep all residents safe and to protect our homes from flooding.

Klobuchar’s work on the Environment and Public Works Committee placed her in a key position to secure funding for the following Minnesota projects authorized by the bill:

$20 million for Wild Rice River Dam: Project to design and construct of a dam, three river miles east upstream from Twin Valley, MN on the Wild Rice River for flood mitigation. 

$15 million for Willmar waste water treatment plant: Would fund a new waste water treatment facility 5 ½ miles west of Willmar to support continued growth, replace failed equipment at the existing facility, and meet more stringent water quality objectives. 

$13.82 million for Roseau River Flood Mitigation: Project would design and construct a flood mitigation system for the city of Roseau.  This plan consists of a 150-foot-wide east side diversion channel, three bridges, and a restriction bridge. This plan would remove nearly the entire city from the 100-year regulatory floodplain and would decrease stages upstream of Roseau to Malung. 

$9 million for Duluth Harbor: Project would fund navigational improvements, ecosystem restoration, and studies to determine causes of corrosion to port infrastructure and costs of repair. 

$7 million for Two Harbors: Project would help fund navigational improvements. 

$6 million to Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe: for wastewater infrastructure near Garrison and Kathio Township, MN. 

$5 million for Grand Rapids wastewater infrastructure reconstruction: Project would support the increased needs of the community. 

$4 million for Asian Carp Dispersal Barrier: Funds the design, construction, and operation of a barrier at Lock and Dam 11 to keep out invasive species. 

$3 million for Goodview Radium Project: Project would install a water treatment facility to remove naturally occurring Radium in the city water supply. 

Crow River Study: Project commissions a study to determine the best method to reduce flood damage surrounding Rockford, MN. 

Marsh Creek Study (no amount specified): Project for flood damage reduction around Marsh Creek, MN.  

South Branch of the Wild Rice River (no amount specified): Project would develop upstream retention projects to enhance navigation improvements, flood damage reduction, and an ecosystem restoration plan for Borup, MN. 

Wild Rice River (no amount specified): Project for flood damage reduction near Ada, MN. 

Tower Harbor Project (no amount specified): Project for Tower, MN that would allow for dredging the East Two River to allow boat traffic into the harbor. 

The bill will now be sent to the President’s desk for final approval.

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