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Reclamation and Manitoba Reach Settlement in NAWS Case
Media Contact:
Alicia Waters, (701) 221-1206, awaters@usbr.gov
For Release: June 27, 2018
BISMARCK, N.D. -- The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) and the Government of the Province of Manitoba reached a settlement ending Manitoba's appeal of the U.S. District Court's August 2017 decision granting summary judgment in favor of Reclamation relating to the Northwest Area Water Supply Project (NAWS).
On June 22, 2018, the United States Department of Justice, the Province of Manitoba and the State of North Dakota filed a Joint Motion for Voluntary Dismissal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. The parties have resolved their dispute through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) pertaining to Manitoba's participation in the development of the Adaptive Management Plan for the operation, maintenance and replacement of the NAWS Biota water treatment plant. The settlement resolves Manitoba's appeal.
In the NAWS Record of Decision issued in August 2016, Reclamation committed to establishing an adaptive management team to assist in the development of the adaptive management plan. Reclamation reiterated this commitment in the settlement agreement with Manitoba.
Other federal, state and local entities with relevant expertise will also be invited to participate on the adaptive management team. No schedule for the adaptive management team/adaptive management plan development is available at this time.
Design and construction of NAWS Project features is proceeding. Currently construction of upgrades at the Minot water treatment plant are underway and design work is proceeding for the biota water treatment plant.
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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.
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