An Open Letter To The Editor:

Never the less, I have been present in observance, serving on the Cavalier County Water Resource Board, and as a director of LAND. I have a hunch my comments here reflect the feelings of many people in the area affected by the events of the past few years.

Sadly, it appears that the Corp of Engineers is no closer to helping provide stabilization of the quantity or quality of water in Devils Lake than when this whole process began. The Downstream Acceptance Program has failed because of its lack of credibility. The upper-basin storage plan (ASAP) has been ineffective because water still runs down hill. As money is poured into the repeated raising of roads (to maintain casino access?) around Devils Lake, other roads in the county continue to deteriorate. Money that could create a controlled outlet and even water treatment is spent on raising roads, raising dikes, and conducting repetitive studies.

Thankfully, the city has remained intact, but there have been unfortunate circumstances for many surrounding communities. Those who have lost homes, businesses, farm and ranch land, and much of what they have worked a lifetime for, are experiencing this disaster first-hand. At the same time, businesses in the city are feeling the impact of six years of flooding in the upper basin, as are upper-basin farmers.

In the midst of this crisis, I suppose it’s a natural emotional reaction to want to find someone to blame. However, a brief check of the basin’s weather history will quickly reveal the cause of Devils Lake’s phenomenal rise. So the blame lies not in the cause of the problem, but in the failure of the powers that be to implement the obvious solution.

One of the more unfortunate developments of late is a lawsuit being brought by property owners around Devils Lake against various local entities. I predict the only winners will be the attorneys for both sides and government agencies that grab more control while fueling local conflicts. A long list of losers will include the plaintiffs, the taxpayers who will fund the defense attorneys, a few local businesses bringing suit against their patrons, and all residents of the Devils Lake basin divided by the conflict. How unfortunate that we live in a day when attorneys will accept pay to bring a suit against someone because water runs downhill.

Perhaps this is one of the reasons no one has taken the necessary action in the outlet situation. No one wants the responsibility for making a decision, even when it’s the right one. But if no decision is made to relieve the Devils Lake flooding situation, someone will have to accept the blame for continued damage, which could involve mass flooding of the city leading to loss of businesses, homes, and even human lives. I hope that is not what it takes to get our priorities straight when we assess values of wildlife habitat and game refuges.

I thought I heard the Governor say something about taking action and letting the lawsuits come. I hope the Governor follows through and does something that can really help, not just apply a bandaid. Construct a controlled outlet out of East Devils Lake to the Sheyenne River without flooding property owners on the way. Control the release to prevent downstream flooding. Deal with the resulting lawsuits. Require proof of the water quality issue. It may be easier than dealing with the results of waiting until disaster strikes in full force, at which time all of these issues and more will have to be dealt with.