North Dakota Century Code Title 61. Waters § 61-24.5-01. Findings and declaration of policy

1. Many areas and localities in southwestern North Dakota do not enjoy adequate quantities of high-quality drinking water. Other areas and localities in southwestern North Dakota do not have sufficient quantities of water to ensure a dependable, long-term supply. Supplementation of the water resources of southwestern North Dakota, with water supplies from Lake Sakakawea and the Missouri River, utilizing a pipeline transmission and delivery system, is a feasible approach to provide southwestern North Dakota with a safe, good quality, dependable source, and adequate quantity of water.

2. Opportunity for greater economic security, protection of health, property, enterprise, preservation of the benefits from the land and water resources of this state, and the promotion of the prosperity and general welfare of all of the people of North Dakota depends on the effective development and utilization of the land and water resources of this state, and require the exercise of the sovereign powers of the state and concern a public purpose. To accomplish this public purpose, a project to supply and distribute water to southwestern North Dakota, as authorized by chapter 61-24.3 must be established and constructed, to:

3. It is necessary to study and further develop water resources to provide adequate water supplies for energy, industrial, agriculture, and other opportunities in southwest North Dakota. This section may not be construed to limit the rights, powers, duties, and functions of the state water commission or the department of water resources, but must be considered supplementary to those rights, powers, duties, and functions.