Findings and declaration of policy - Water to eastern North Dakota a critical priority - Water supplementation study - Employment of staff
N.D. Cent. Code § 61-01-26.1
in effect61-01-26.1. Findings and declaration of policy - Water to eastern North Dakota a
critical priority - Water supplementation study - Employment of staff.
The legislative assembly finds that many areas and localities in eastern North Dakota do not
enjoy safe drinking water. It is also found that other areas and localities in eastern North Dakota
do not have sufficient quantities of water to ensure a dependable, long-term water supply. The
legislative assembly further finds that supplementation of the water resources of eastern North
Dakota from other available sources, including the Missouri River, may be the only alternative to
provide eastern North Dakota with a dependable source of safe, good quality water and an
adequate quantity of water.
It is further declared that effective development and utilization of the land and water
resources of this state; the opportunity for greater economic security; the protection of health,
property, enterprise, and the preservation of the benefits from the land and water resources of
this state; and the promotion of the prosperity and general welfare of all of the people of North
Dakota involve, necessitate, and require the exercise of the sovereign powers of the state and
concern a public purpose. Therefore, in order to accomplish this public purpose, it is declared
necessary that a means to supply and distribute water to the people of eastern North Dakota for
all beneficial purposes must be developed. In furtherance of this public purpose, the supply and
delivery of water to eastern North Dakota is established as a critical priority and the state water
commission shall, in cooperation with the Garrison Diversion Conservancy District and the
communities and rural water systems in eastern North Dakota, address this critical priority by
developing a plan and estimate of the costs for supplementing the water resources of eastern
North Dakota with water supplies from other available resources, including the Missouri River.
The state water commission may employ full-time personnel and may employ such other
personnel as are necessary for the administration of this section as appropriated funds permit.
Notwithstanding section 61-02-64.1, funds disbursed from the contract fund or appropriated for
purposes of administering this section may be used for salaries and expenses of persons
employed pursuant to this section.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://ndlegis.gov/cencode/t61c01.pdf#nameddest=61-01-26p1Fetched: 10/16/2026