Someone asked me if I could support a controlled outlet from Devils Lake to the Sheyenne River. The LAND Board has gone on record with this statement: “LAND supports the controlled release of water from Devils Lake to the Sheyenne for the protection of property owners.”

I wouldn’t write about this issue, but it is starting to impact too much private property, private business, and the economy of North Dakota in general. When they start talking about closing major highways, a railroad or moving an entire town we need to adjust our thoughts. So far our leaders have been reacting to Mother Nature It looks like they should step up front and deal with this tough issue.

Sounds easy!!! Alan Grindberg, an attorney from Bismarck, wrote an excellent article in the Minot Daily News to explain why certain things can’t happen in the Devils Lake area because of North Dakota water law. He states the kicker is the Boundary Waters Treaty. If that doesn’t cover it, try the Clean Water Act. I agree with Mr. Grindberg. (See quotes from the Grindberg article on page 2.)

With today’s technology there must be a way to curb this ongoing disaster. Remember a lake is like a grain bin; the last stuff in is the first to go out. If we allow the Devils Lake situation to continue on “naturally,” we won’t be in control. Instead, we’re at the whim of Mother Nature. The Boundary Water Treaty won’t help. I doubt anyone who signed that treaty could have projected the current Devils Lake situation. The leaders of today need to consider the end result of Devils Lake overflowing and cutting it’s own ditch. From a water quality issue, how much debris could that type of flow carry? How much property (including prime farm land) would be destroyed?

Let me share what I know for certain. The leaders of today never solved one like this. The leaders of yesterday could not have predicted the current lake level so we may have to alter some of the regulations they approved.

The people of North Dakota are in this together. The majority of our population could be impacted if this lake gets out by itself. Do they believe we should take that risk? Do you?

At what point does the lake level present a risk the downstream population can not support? If we had an exact time table we could answer that question.

I have shared my thought as I tried to answer the original question for myself. It looks clear as mud.