Bill to raise economic-analysis threshold for drainage projects draws split testimony

Representative Cynthia Schreiber Beck and water interests urged the House Energy and Natural Resources Committee to approve House Bill 1218, which would change the threshold at which the Department of Water Resources requires an economic analysis (EA) for water conveyance and flood control projects. The bill would limit mandatory EA reviews to projects with total costs above $5,000,000.

Why it matters: Proponents representing water users, water resource districts and agricultural groups said the current lower threshold and DEQ/State Water Commission policy requiring EAs for projects at or above $200,000 has increased project costs and delays, making many locally important drainage and conveyance improvements unaffordable for producers and small districts. Kurt Lisney of the North Dakota Water Users Association said the EA process, as implemented, has reduced state cost-share levels and shifted burdens to local producers. "Requiring the economic analysis…