Sen. Cramer Applauds Trump Administration Transferring Oakes Test Area to Local Water Users

BISMARCK – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water, and Wildlife, issued the following statement applauding the U.S. Department of the Interior for finalizing the transfer of the Oakes Test Area to local ownership:

“One of my first votes in the Senate was for the John D. Dingell Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act, which gave the Bureau of Reclamation authority to transfer assets like the Oakes Test Area to local ownership. This commonsense measure saves the taxpayers money by putting management in the hands of the community members who actually use it. I thank President Trump for signing this law and Secretary Bernhardt for swiftly implementing this authority.”

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. It became law in March of 2019.

Today’s action conveys full ownership to the Dickey-Sargent Irrigation District in Oakes after the district paid for the Oakes Test Area facilities and lands. Senator Cramer with Senator John Hoeven introduced legislation last year to transfer the site to local ownership and urged the Trump Administration to finalize this title transfer earlier this year. Interior Department officials including Deputy Secretary Kate MacGregor and Associate Deputy Secretary Kiel Weaver, both of whom Senator Cramer worked with to finalize this title transfer, came to North Dakota for today’s signing.

“I appreciate Deputy Secretary MacGregor and Associate Deputy Secretary Weaver for attending today’s event,” said Senator Cramer. “Their presence further demonstrates the Trump Administration’s commitment to North Dakota priorities such as this.”

“This title transfer will improve local control and fulfill the Trump Administration's goals to streamline bureaucratic processes and facilitate local investment to help maintain and rebuild American infrastructure,” said Deputy Secretary MacGregor. “The new title transfer process under the Trump Administration has created unprecedented opportunities throughout the West, and I’m proud to be part of this historic effort.”