jschramm@minotdailynews.com
Good news for Minot is coming in a year-end spending package that Congress is expected to soon pass.
The package includes authorization for a major piece of the Mouse River Enhanced Flood Protection Project, and it extends the deadline for Minot’s National Disaster Resilience Program by a year.
The authorization for the flood project opens the door to potential federal funding for the Maple Diversion through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The authorization is a key step that comes as the result of a signed chief’s report following a $1.3 million project feasibility study. Lt. Gen. Todd Semonite, then chief of the Corps, was in Minot last year for the report signing ceremony. Sen. John Hoeven, R-ND, since secured support from Maj. Gen. Scott Spellmon during his recent confirmation process as chief.