BISMARCK, ND (KXNET) — North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum and Lieutenant Governor Tammy Miller received resolutions of appreciation at the North Dakota State Water Commission (SWC) today. The commission presented them with the resolutions in recognition of their significant contributions to water development in the state. “I’m not done working on water issues in North Dakota,” Governor Burgum said in his last remarks to the SWC. “Keep believing in the fact that right here in this state we are doing things and making things happen that are better and smarter than anywhere else in the country, and don’t let anyone tell you anything different. Thank you. It’s been an honor to serve next to Lt. Governor Miller and Andrea Travnicek and the State Water Commission for the last eight years.” The resolutions highlight the work done by the Burgum administration in their eight years in office to ensure that North Dakota communities, rural areas, and Tribal Nations have access to clean, reliable water supplies and resilience to flooding. In the governor's time in office, more than $2.1 billion in state funding has been put towards water infrastructure projects, including $1.1 billion for water supply, $1 billion for flood protection, and $84 million for general water management across the state.  This funding benefitted 64 communities and 23 rural water systems with populations totaling more than 460,000. In addition, 27 communities with populations totaling 463,000 received cost-share assistance for projects relating to flood protection and public safety. "Governor Burgum and Lt. Governor Miller have demonstrated outstanding leadership and dedication to advancing North Dakota’s water infrastructure initiatives," said Andrea Travnicek, the director of the Department of Water Resources. "Under their leadership, North Dakotans have seen tremendous progress with water development projects across the entire state." USDA to provide 3 million more electronic identification tags for U.S. ranchers At Friday’s meeting, the SWC approved 10 more projects for cost-share funding, totaling $9.2 million. These included $2.6 million for the City of Mandan’s Memorial Highway water main project and more than $2 million for East Central Rural Water District’s efforts to complete pre-construction engineering related to wellfield and treatment plant expansions.  Burgum's role in helping secure $3.1 million for a water supply improvement project, sponsored by the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Public Utilities Commission, was also highlighted at the meeting. Gov. Burgum and Lt. Gov. Miller were strong supporters of House Bill 1385, which allowed the SWC to enter into cost-share agreements with Tribal Nations. “The passage of HB 1385 represented a significant achievement for both the Burgum administration and the future of water development and resource management for Tribal Nations,” Travnicek said. ”Today’s approval to partner with the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa is another opportunity to advance critical water infrastructure in Tribal communities.” The SWC also approved $90.6 million in funding for the construction of the 12 million gallons per day Southwest Water Treatment Plant expansion project in Dickinson for the state-owned Southwest Pipeline Project (SWPP). This is designed to help the SWPP serve tens of thousands of water users in southwest North Dakota.  Since the beginning of the 2023-2025 biennium funding cycle, the SWC has approved about $520 million for water supply, flood protection, and other water management projects across North Dakota. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Today's Top Stories SIGN UP NOW