Byron Dorgan

We know the issues out there, we know how to address them and deal with them if we commit the resources and our time and our dedication.

I have used the word shameful, that in three of the last four years, I believe, we have not even had an Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs.

We have made promises, we have signed the line in treaty agreements, and we have trust responsibilities.

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

I would bring back the inlet debate in future sessions of the Congress, but for now, the outlet is what is needed.

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…

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

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

We want to be able to be prepared to fight it as completely and fully as we can.

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.

Mr. Dummer, how periodic will your new forecasts be as we lead up to this potential spring event?

Are there any estimates about what the aggregate costs of dealing with those roads would be?

We have had, in our experience with Devils Lake, I think, 3 or 4 years in which we've had the 1 and 2 percent chance actually realized.

Your projections about Devils Lake are projections that say 98 percent certainty we're going to exceed the record level of Devils Lake.

Nothing would make me more--feel better if we could just sit in city hall and watch the river go by.

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.

We appreciate that you continue to understand the challenges that lie ahead of us, and we hope we are able to work together to find workable solutions.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.