Thu, Oct 5th, 2023 - 9:43am
October 15, 2020 - 2:36pm | By Chris Larson
The Deputy Secretary of the Interior, Kate MacGregor, was in the Red River Valley today for the completion of the title transfer of the Oakes Test Area from the United States Government to the Dickey-Sargent Irrigation District. The title transfer is the third done under the John D. Dingell Jr. Conservation, Management and Recreation Act expedites the title transfer process for eligible projects including diversion dams, canals and other water-related facilities. The Oakes project is one of six to be done this year.
“We’re literally transferring the project, including 5,000 acres, back to that irrigation district,” she said.
MacGregor lauded the work of Senator John Hoeven, who helped pass legislation o remove the need for congressional authorization prior to the transfer of the title of an operation such as the one in Oakes.
“It never would have happened without the support of Senator Hoeven and the federal delegation standing behind this,” she said.
Hoeven also spoke at the event.
“With the title transfer now complete, the Dickey-Sargent Irrigation District will be able to make needed upgrades to the Oakes Test Area, ensuring this infrastructure will benefit the region’s agriculture producers for years to come,” said Senator Hoeven. “That’s why we advanced legislation to enable this transfer and have worked continuously with the administration throughout the process. We appreciate the irrigation district’s leadership, the Garrison Diversion and the Bureau of Reclamation for joining with us in the effort to finalize this agreement, which will save taxpayers money while also preventing this facility from being abandoned.”
Senator Kevin Cramer issued a statement saying, “I appreciate Deputy Secretary MacGregor and Associate Deputy Secretary Weaver for attending today’s event. Their presence further demonstrates the Trump Administration’s commitment to North Dakota priorities such as this.”
The signing of the Act was made possible under the leadership of President Donald Trump.
“In the past, this took six to eight years and, under the new authority, we got this done in a year,” MacGregor told WZFG News. “Having a more expedited and streamlined way to get it done has been a game changer, especially to the local community of Oakes.”
