SAVE THE SHEYENNE RIVER
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Outlet without a Clue
To: Bismarck Tribune, Letter to the Editor March 20, 2003
From: Richard Betting
11630 39 St. SE
Valley City, North Dakota 58072 701-845-4905
Re: Bismarck Tribune Editorial of March 7, 2003
One or two items regarding Frederic Smith’s Tribune
editorial March 7, 2003. If Governor Hoeven and the State Water
Commission proceed with the state’s outlet plan and begin
construction this summer, spending $7 million on the canal,
shouldn’t they get the necessary permits first?
The Corps’ project would cost about $186 million because,
Smith claims, of “enhancements” tacked on. Well, not
unless downstream environmental damages are considered
“enhancements.” And water quality in West Bay, where
the State plans to take water, is much poorer than in Pelican
Lake, the Corps’ site. The Corps gave up on West Bay years
ago because of poor water quality. Over five hundred per cent
more sulfates there than in the Sheyenne, for example.
Still, the State plans to pump West Bay water into the Sheyenne,
saying there will be no downstream environmental damage. So they
have allocated no funds for damages. They could check the N.D.
State Health Department’s analysis of water quality in
Devils Lake to get the details. Then do studies to prove mussels
and fish species can reproduce in West Bay water.
Mr. Smith claims that the “Right of way from the Minnewaukan
neighborhood south to the Sheyenne River was lined up last
year.” Not according to landowners there. The State will
have to condemn the land, as most landowners are unwilling to
have a canal divide their farms, causing problems with crossings,
fencing, seepage and so on.
Mr. Smith claims the faucet can be “turned off” if
Devils Lake water will add to flooding on the Sheyenne. No, once
in the river, there is no way to turn it off.
Mr. Smith claims that flooding on Devils Lake has been a
“drag on the economy for 10 years.” Hardly a drag. He
should check the fishing on the lake and compare the sales tax
figures from 1985-90 with those of 1995-2000, for example.
Most significantly, Mr. Smith and others think that a 100 cfs
outlet will help reduce flooding on Devils Lake. Hardly. First,
of course, with such poor water quality, pumping would be
constrained by the flows in the Sheyenne. From August through
November average flows in the Sheyenne are less than 20 cubic
feet per second. Thus, an outlet might be able to remove an inch
from the lake per year, not enough to notice. Not as much as a
hot week in July will do for free—each year, every year.
Evaporation will remove thirty inches or more from Devils Lake
every year.
One other thing. The Department of Transportation plans to
rebuild Highway 281 between West Bay and Round Lake. In order for
a Devils Lake outlet to operate effectively, more water will have
to flow from West Bay into Round Lake, more than the small
culverts there presently allow.
That means the Highway Department must get approval to increase
the culvert size, that Highway 281 is in fact part of the
State’s Devils Lake outlet project, and an Environmental
Impact Statement as well as a Corps 404 permit will be necessary
to increase the flow, to build a bridge.
“Seize the day?” Yes, indeed. Get both the highway and
outlet projects lined up first. Get the facts straight. Then get
the permits. Then get going—on restoration of upper basin
wetlands.
Upper basin storage is the only plan that holds hope for Devils
Lake flooding. That and dry weather.
Signed,
Richard Betting
rbetting@ictc.com