North Dakota
Devils Lake landowners draft petition for lake level management
CHURCHS FERRY, N.D. – Feelings ran excessive at instances at a gathering of Devils Lake-area landowners sad with how lake ranges are managed.
A bunch of roughly 50 landowners and farmers met on Thursday night, Could 4, to debate a petition they plan to undergo the Devils Lake Shops Administration Advisory Committee, State Water Board and Gov. Doug Burgum. The assembly was held on the Alumni Middle in Churchs Ferry, an unincorporated group that
dissolved in 2022 after its personal battle with rising water.
The group’s former mayor, Paul Christenson, led and arranged the assembly. Although neither a landowner nor a farmer, he has lived within the space his complete life and has seen the impact of Devils Lake flooding on his group and surrounding communities.
“This isn’t an agenda-type assembly (and) it’s not a gathering that’s received the solutions to all the issues right here, sadly,” Christenson mentioned. “However all of the folks on this room got here tonight for a similar cause – we’ve received to get some extra water off this lake.”
The petition asks for the Devils Lake Shops Administration Advisory Committee, State Water Fee and Gov. Doug Burgum to take a “higher look” at working the 2 outlet pumps on both aspect of the lake, with a lake elevation objective of 1,446 ft. The petition additionally asks that the Devils Lake Basin be labeled as a catastrophe space in a state of emergency.
Devils Lake has risen to 1,450.29 ft to date this spring.
The assembly comes after 30 years of Devils Lake flooding. Throughout a moist cycle that started within the early Nineties, the lake began rising, inflicting it to develop in dimension. Agricultural land, homes and roads flooded, main the state to step in to help with flood mitigation. Devils Lake reached an all-time excessive of 1,545.3 ft in 2011.
The Devils Lake Basin is a closed basin with no pure outlet till it reaches an especially excessive degree. Nonetheless, two state-operated shops launch water from the Devils Lake Basin into the Sheyenne River to assist average flooding.
However even with the shops in place, as lake ranges rise, fields miles away within the basin are unable to adequately drain. Dan Webster, who farms close to Penn, North Dakota, says a few of his land has been underwater since flooding began within the Nineties, leading to misplaced earnings with no state compensation.
“I don’t wish to hand this off to the following technology,” Webster mentioned. “It’s been 30 years since I’ve seen a few of my land, and 2011 was actually dangerous – we misplaced a bunch that 12 months.”
Ingrid Harbo / Grand Forks Herald
At instances, the assembly devolved into verbal sparring between petitioners and two state lawmakers in attendance, Rep. Dennis Johnson, R-Devils Lake, and Rep. John Nelson, R-Rugby.
Johnson instructed the landowners he would go to Bismarck and sit down with Burgum.
“What am I supposed to inform him?” requested Johnson. The query was met with shouting from the gang of petitioners.
“Inform him what it’s, Dennis — it’s a catastrophe out right here,” Christenson replied. “It’s a freaking catastrophe. It’s an emergency. In 20 years, nothing’s been executed. Isn’t that an emergency?”
When the state begins outlet operations annually will depend on a variety of elements, together with in a single day temperatures and downstream channel situations, Chris Korkowski, Investigations Part chief on the North Dakota Division of Water Assets, instructed the Herald.
“We don’t wish to launch extra water than the Sheyenne is ready to maintain, which is about 800 (cubic ft per second),” Korkowski mentioned. “We even have to attend till snow and people kind of situations within the West Finish Outlet canal are free.”
When absolutely operational, the outlet on the east aspect of Devils Lake can set free 350 CFS, whereas the outlet on the west aspect can set free 250 CFS.
The bottom lake degree at which the East Finish Outlet can function is 1,446 ft; on the West Finish Outlet, it is 1,445 ft. Korkowski mentioned the Division of Water Assets plans to function the shops till the lake will get all the way down to these ranges.
“Principally, if the lake is increased than these elevations, we plan on working the shops to take away as a lot water as we are able to,” Korkowski mentioned.
As soon as pumps are working, downstream situations and sulfate situations within the lake and the Sheyenne are monitored.
“It’s a relentless balancing act between making an attempt to take away as a lot water as doable whereas assembly the sulfate limits, that are set by the Clear Water Act,” Korkowski mentioned.
However petitioners really feel requirements are too excessive and outlet operation is stopped too usually.
“They’ve all the reasons on the planet – can’t meet the water high quality, received a thunderstorm down south, shut them off for the week to let the water go. All these excuses,” Webster mentioned. “In different phrases, their mannequin is flawed.”
The West Finish and East Finish shops began operations in 2005 and 2012, respectively. The general infrastructure is in fine condition, mentioned Korkowski, however final 12 months the West Finish Outlet sustained some injury to a change gear on the Spherical Lake Pump Station. Provide chain points have delayed repairs.
Till the pump station is repaired, the outlet has a most discharge capability of 175 CFS, Korkowski mentioned. He expects repairs to be accomplished in July.
Moreover, a capital enchancment plan for the West Finish Outlet is being developed.
“What the plan will do is establish any updates we’d like for the infrastructure and the timeframe to finish these updates so we are able to proceed the long-term operation of the Devils Lake West Finish Outlet. That’s one thing we’ve been trying into,” Korkowski mentioned.
Whereas constrained by downstream situations and sulfate ranges, Andrea Travnicek, director of the North Dakota Division of Water Assets, instructed the Herald the state will proceed working the shops and dealing with basin stakeholders.
“We stay dedicated to persevering with to function these shops, figuring out that there’s nonetheless an emergency state of affairs up there, so it’s extraordinarily vital for us to proceed to make it possible for we’re sustaining that,” Travnicek mentioned. “That’s why we’ve labored actually laborious towards this capital enchancment plan, so we all know how we are able to proceed to verify this tools is modernized and working the best way that it ought to.”
The landowner plans to submit the petition to state leaders on the Devils Lake Shops Administration Advisory Committee assembly on Could 17.
North Dakota School Superintendent Kirsten Baesler announced new state guidance on artificial intelligence (AI) designed to assist local schools in developing their own AI policies and to help teachers and administrators work more efficiently.
A group of educators from North Dakota schools, the NDDPI, the Department of Career and Technical Education, and state information technology agencies created this guidance, which is available on the Department of Public Instruction’s website.
Baesler emphasized that implementing AI, like any instructional tool, requires careful planning and alignment with educational priorities, goals, and values.
She stressed that humans should always control AI usage and review its output for errors, following a Human-Technology-Human process. “We must emphasize keeping the main thing the main thing, and that is to prepare our young learners for their next challenges and goals,” Baesler said.
Steve Snow and Kelsie Seiler from the NDDPI Office of School Approval and Opportunity highlighted that the guidance was drawn from various state education agencies and technology websites, such as Code.org and TeachAI.org, with the process taking about eight months.
“We had a team that looked at guidance from other states, and we pulled pieces from different places and actually built guidance tailored for North Dakota students,” Snow said.
Seiler explained that AI excels at data analysis, predictive analytics, and automating repetitive tasks but lacks emotional intelligence, interdisciplinary research, and problem-solving abilities.
Snow added that AI can help teachers design lesson plans aligned with North Dakota’s academic content standards quickly and adjust them for students who need more support. AI can also simplify the development of personalized learning plans for students.
“You have so many resources (teachers) can use that are going to make your life so much easier,” Snow said. “I want the teachers, administration, and staff to get comfortable with using (AI), so they’re a little more comfortable when they talk to kids about it.”
Seiler noted that the NDDPI guidance is not a “how-to” manual for using AI but offers general suggestions on developing local policies to leverage AI effectively.
“Our guidance is meant to provide some tools to the school administration and say, ‘Here are some things to think about when you implement your own AI guidance,’” Snow said.
“For instance, do you have the infrastructure to support (AI)? Do you have a professional development plan so your teachers can understand it? Do you have governance in place that says what AI can and can’t be used for?”
8 Everyday Foods That Are Legal in Montana, Forbidden Elsewhere
These foods are easy to find on store shelves wherever you buy your groceries in Montana. However in other states they’re banned from the shelves!
Gallery Credit: Michelle Heart
Big List Of The Best French Fries In Montana
Gallery Credit: mwolfe
NORTH DAKOTA (KXNET) — The hundred-day span between Memorial Day and Labor Day is marked as the most deadly period on the road here in North Dakota.
According to the North Dakota Department of Transportation’s 2022 crash summary report, fatal crashes are twice as likely during this time.
That’s why North Dakota leaders are urging drivers to not fall into a “false sense of security” during the bright and cheery days of summer.
According to Travel and Leisure, North Dakota has been marked as the state with the most reckless drivers.
There’s a range of reasons for this from drunk driving to speeding. But another reason is that when the snow clears, North Dakota drivers are eager to get out more and drive faster than they would in the snow, according to the North Dakota Department of Transportation’s Highway Safety Division director.
And because North Dakota has some of the lowest citation fees in the nation, ranging from $5 to $100, the Highway Patrol’s safety and education officer says that drivers aren’t given enough deterrents to drive safely.
However, with growing concerns about safety, there could be talk of increasing citation amounts in coming legislative sessions.
BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) – Aquatic nuisance species are nonnative plants, animals and pathogens that can threaten our aquatic resources. The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is taking proactive measures to stop the spread of ANS into our waterbodies by conducting watercraft inspections at popular boat ramps statewide.
“We got watercraft inspectors that are working throughout this summer around the state of North Dakota to check boats, to educate boat owners to do the right things at ramps, make sure boats are all clean, drain, dry before recreating here,” said Ben Holen, NDGF Aquatic Nuisance Species Coordinator.
What can anglers or watercraft recreationists expect when they come to an ANS inspection?
“A watercraft inspector will ask a few questions, only takes a couple minutes, and then they look at the hull of the boat. They’re looking at the engine area, looking at the anchor and also looking at all drain compartments, making sure all water is out of that watercraft. Everything is drained. Everything is cleaned, drained, dry before you get on that water body,” said Holen.
These watercraft inspections are voluntary and most people are cooperative and thankful the Game and Fish Department is spearheading efforts to stop the spread of ANS.
“We see a lot of our fishermen are really educated about aquatic nuisance species. They’re pulling their plugs every time, removing vegetation, doing the right things. Occasionally there are slip-ups, but that’s why our inspectors are out here making sure that those boats are good to go,” said Holen.
It’s not only fishing boats that are inspected, it’s all watercraft.
“So whether you’re a jet skier, a kayak, a canoer, a wakeboarder, you all play a part in curbing the spread of aquatic nuisance species in North Dakota,” said Holen.
The purpose of these inspections is to educate the public so they can help curb the spread of ANS.
“We can’t be at every ramp, every single circumstance, so hopefully some of these recreationists can take the tools that they learn from watercraft inspectors and apply them on their own when they’re out there recreating on their own and do a self-inspection,” said Holen.
The Game and Fish Department is committed to safeguarding our natural resources for future generations to enjoy.
“So we really, really like to keep it that way and keep these resources pristine for a long time,” said Holen.
For more information on Aquatic Nuisance Species, visit gf.nd.gov
Copyright 2024 KFYR. All rights reserved.
What ‘CJ2K’ means and how it got former Titans RB Chris Johnson into Tennessee Sports HOF
Rangers top Orioles with a 3-run homer from Heim
Andre Seldon Jr., Utah State football transfer, dies in apparent cliff diving accident | CNN
‘Served our country with honor and dignity’: Vermont’s leaders react to Biden dropping out
Virginia Tech Legend Mike Vick Gives Hokies Praise Heading Into 2024 Season
See it: Tesla crashes into Columbus convention center at 70 mph
Colorado Rockies game no. 116 thread: Zac Gallen vs José Ureña
Fox News Politics: Georgia the whole day through
Death of missing Oregon girl found in stream ruled homicide
At least 2 dead as tornadoes hit Alabama, damage homes across Southeast
Dem strategists say Harris 'only practical choice' as party leaders begin endorsing her
Erdogan says Turkey ready to build Cyprus naval base ‘if necessary’
Some Republicans call on Biden to resign the presidency too after ending his 2024 campaign
Trump blows past Biden in June fundraising race, with July numbers expected to be worse for Democrats
Ukraine and Russia fire dozens of drones at each other
-
News1 week agoVideo: Biden ‘Is a Fighter,’ Harris Says in North Carolina
-
World1 week agoJapan, Germany agree to boost security cooperation in Pacific
-
Politics1 week agoTwo key states to see massive GOP voter registration operation
-
Politics1 week agoIs it too late for DNC delegates to abandon Biden? A look at the Democrats' nomination process
-
Politics1 week agoBiden says 'anyway' at least 9 times while trailing off in press conference
-
News1 week agoWhy the next president's judicial appointments will impact climate action
-
World1 week agoMore than 60 people missing after two buses swept into river in Nepal
-
News4 days agoIn Milwaukee, Black Voters Struggle to Find a Home With Either Party