I think that's a really good thing. I think that's great. Because we're all going to have to work together on this issue.

potentially billions of dollars, in essence, then, to put water back in the river that has almost the same sulfate content as the water you took out.

I contacted Senator Conrad when I heard that he was going to have these hearings both up in Devils Lake and down here in Valley City.

I want to thank all of the--everyone who's here today.

Governor John Hoeven, using Emergency Rules, voided the original permit and approved an increase in the sulfate limit.

Really to be to add reverse osmosis to whatever they do and they've estimated roughly that could cost $45 million so we'd work with them to do that.

Thank you for your long term support of the Devils Lake Outlet program.

I appreciate this opportunity to discuss the operation of the Devils Lake Outlet and its importance--not just to the community of Devils Lake and the Devils Lake area, but also to downstream interests.

We're going to work with them through the Water Commission, and we'd love some help from the Federal participation as well.

We have worked hard to provide information to all concerned regarding the operation of the Devils Lake Outlet, and I thank you, Senator Dorgan, for your support of the outlet.

The State's objective with the west-end outlet is to minimize or avoid the effects of a discharge from Devils Lake into the Sheyenne that would create problems downstream from either a flooding or water quality standpoint.