We never expected that nearly 13 years later, we would be making yet another request to protect the city from the flood emergency caused by the waters of Devils Lake.

this has been lake flooding that is chronic; comes and stays, and now apparently is set to substantially increase.

I think all of us agree that there needs to be that type of permanent solution.

You've painted a pretty ominous picture of what might be ahead of us in the next several months in North Dakota.

the city has secured nearly $7.5 million in Federal grants, including $5.9 million from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and $1.6 million from the EPA.

At 1,454 feet--let's not always assume the worst, but, for this discussion, let me assume that we get to 1,453-1,454 feet.

Now, I chair the subcommittee in Congress that funds the Corps of Engineers, so I have a little bit of acquaintance.

the concern would be, as Mr. Frink said, that it would go south, it would go what's referred to as the Surry Route.

I think all of us understand the urgency and the tension whenever we hear, again, a flood threat.

I think, mayor, the three most significant floods, if I read this graph correctly, well, the most significant, of course, is 1997, then 2006--or 1969.

Hopefully, in 4 or 5 months, we can have an informal visit and believe that we got through all of this.

I don't know whether you have an emergency pot of money, but given what we have heard recently now, of potential major flooding on the Red and almost certain flooding above highest levels at Devils Lake, you might want to at least go back…

We have to begin working with the Corps to address the permanent structures that we have to change.

The issue is, you want people to be aware of it and then to have enough information for the folks in the city to begin making preparations.

all of us need to reach out and do all that we can to work with Spirit Lake Nation.

Let's decide where America wants to head, here. Let's decide, for the next decade, where we want to go with respect to energy.

I can't think of a more effective system in the world to allocate goods and services than the free market, frankly.

I think that's necessary. We've certainly built rail lines and so on to accommodate the ability to move coal.