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FAQ
General Flood Recovery Questions
Last updated on Dec. 14, 2011
Q. Where can I go to view the flood protection maps?
A. You can go online to view the map at mouseriverplan.com. As well, a physical copy of the map for public viewing is available at the Minot Public Library. There is also a map of the Minot area at City Hall and is available from 8 to 4:30 for public viewing.
Q. Where can I go, or who can I talk to if I have concerns, questions or simply want to give my opinion about the flood protection maps?
A. Public input meetings were held November 8 - 10 and then again just before Thanksgiving. These meetings were conducted to provide residents the opportunity to view the initial concept alignment, hear an overview of the plan, ask questions and provide feedback regarding the proposed plan. The mouseriverplan.com website has a place for visitors to enter public input.
Q. Since these are just preliminary flood protection maps, what are the next steps? When will this be made final?
A. A more refined version of the flood protection map was released on November 30th.
The final document, or Preliminary Engineering Report, is set to be provided by the engineering team to the ND State Water Commission on February 29, 2012. If all goes as planned, this will be the recommended Mouse River Basin Flood Protection Plan.
Q. If my home has a demolition order from the First District Health Unit, who can I talk to in order to answer my questions?
A. The Swanson & Warcup law firm can assist homeowners with their demolition orders questions. They have an office in town and can be reached by calling 701-772-3407.
Q. Why does the development of a flood protection plan take so long?
A. Creation of a flood protection plan for the entire Mouse River Basin is a significant undertaking. The size and scope of the project, from the actual geographical size to the number of communities, neighborhoods and rural areas that it includes, is quite extensive. Additionally, there are a variety of permitting processes that will need to take place as the implementation of the project progresses and these procedures do take a significant amount of time.
Q. Why is it important for the process of flood protection to move so quickly? Isn't it more important to take our time and do it right?
A. While everyone's timeline expectations are different, it has been deemed important to move quickly with the process and the acquisition of properties for two main reasons: to provide a level of certainty, so that people can begin/continue to move ahead in their lives; and to be prepared for and make it easier to protect residents and the City in case a flood event would occur between now and when construction of the flood protection plan is finalized.
Q. Who is in charge of this process?
A. The Souris River Joint Water Resources Board asked ND Governor Jack Dalrymple for assistance in developing flood protection for the entire basin in North Dakota. The North Dakota State Water Commission was given the task of preparing a Preliminary Engineering Report that includes an alignment plan that can be used for property acquisition.
The State Water Commission hired the engineering team made up of Barr Engineering, Ackerman-Estvold Engineering, Moore Engineering and CPS to create a flood protection plan for the entire Mouse River Basin.
The ND State Water Commission and the Souris River Joint Board, along with the effected counties and cities, will make the final decision on the design of the flood protection plan. Their decision will include input from local, state and federal agencies as well as significant input from the stakeholders in the basin.
Q. What level of protection will the flood protection plan provide?
A. This plan is being developed to provide protection at 27,400 cubic feet per second plus three feet of freeboard. Freeboard is the distance between the top of the water and the top of the bank.
Q. What will the flood protection plan cost?
A. The cost is unknown at this time. It is too early in the design work process to have an accurate estimate of the cost of flood protection. When there is a higher level of confidence in the master plan, then a cost estimate will be provided.
Q. Who will pay for the Mouse River Basin flood protection project?
A. The Mouse River Basin flood protection project will more than likely be paid for by cost sharing between federal, state and local dollars. Federal, state and local entities are currently researching other potential funding sources as well. At this time a funding plan for the project has not been developed. Finding funding for the entire flood protection project will likely take years.
Q. Will greenways be created as a part of the plan?
A. The purpose of the Mouse River Basin flood protection project is to provide flood protection for residents and businesses within the basin. However, it is possible that the areas located within the protection area could be used as greenways. How these areas are utilized will be at the discretion of the communities.
Q. When will construction begin on the flood protection plan?
A. Any timeline or deadline of potential construction will depend heavily on securing funding for the flood protection plan. Timelines will also be dependent upon the final plan details and details of the phased development recommendations.
Q. Are the potential changes in the operational procedures of the dams being considered?
A. The dams in Saskatchewan are owned and operated by the Saskatchewan Water Authority in accordance with Terms of Reference provided by the International Joint Commission (IJC). The International Souris River Board, an arm of IJC, coordinates and monitors the operation of the dams in Saskatchewan and North Dakota for compliance with the Terms of Reference and reports to IJC on an annual basis. The ISRB is currently reviewing the operations of these dams and will prepare a report on the 2011 flood including recommendations for operational changes.
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