U.S. Department of Defense
Date of this Version
12-2010
Citation
Federal Task Force Devils Lake Report.
Abstract
The Devils Lake, North Dakota, region has experienced a dramatic wet cycle since 1992 that has caused the lake level to rise nearly 30 feet. The resulting flooding has negatively impacted the residents, infrastructure, and communities in the region. Additional flooding could pose an unacceptable risk of an uncontrolled overflow that could cause catastrophic flooding downstream. This report presents the results of an intensive Federal interagency effort that was initiated to assess the status of the efforts of each major Federal agency actively addressing the flooding in the area of Devils Lake and options for additional near-term actions within existing authorities. The report uses data from previous analyses to re-examine what options might be feasible to address Devils Lake flooding. This Working Group effort involved extensive analysis by all key Federal agencies engaged in responding to flooding at Devils Lake. Led by the Army Corps of Engineers, the Working Group also included the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and the Departments of Agriculture (USDA), Commerce, Defense, Homeland Security, Interior, Transportation, and State. The Working Group was committed to gaining an understanding of the local perspectives on these issues, and held four focus group meetings in North Dakota (“the State”) – three in the City of Devils Lake and one in Valley City. The purposes of these meetings were to gather information and testimony from local and state officials and other subject matter experts, and to obtain recommendations on actions that the Federal government could undertake to assist with the problems caused by the rising lake.
Comments
U.S. government work.