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FT. YATES – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, met with Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Mike Connor and leadership from the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe to tour and discuss projects in the Cannon Ball District, Long Soldier District, and the Walker Bottom Marina.
“One of the most incredible opportunities Standing Rock has identified is recreation. The beauty of the Missouri and the rich cultural heritage is ripe to tell a great story. I appreciate the tribe’s hospitality and vision for economic development,” said Senator Cramer. “As the current landlord of much of the riverfront, it was good for Assistant Secretary Connor to see the great potential these sites possess and how the Army Corps can be helpful partners. I am glad he accepted my invitation to come to Standing Rock and look forward to the work ahead of us.”
“It was a productive day with the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and Senator Cramer where we discussed Tribal water resource and economic development priorities,” said Mr. Michael Connor, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works. “I appreciated the great dialogue and commitment to work together and leverage federal resources to advance the Tribe’s interests.”
Background:
The Prairie Knights Casino (PKC) is actively working to develop a feasibility study for the Walker Bottom Marina which would leverage the history of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s people and land to create a regional, national, and international tourism destination.
Long Soldier District is looking to build a water recreation facility roughly four miles south of Fort Yates. Additionally, WOZU Inc., a nonprofit organization based in Standing Rock, is working on plans to develop a 14-mile walking trail in Cannon Ball District. Each of these sites are potential examples of economic and tourism development opportunities on the Missouri River in need of cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps.