RESOLUTION

OF THE

UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER BASIN ASSOCIATION

SEPTEMBER 24, 1997

ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA

WHEREAS, the State of North Dakota has proposed an outlet from the Devils Lake Basin to the Red River of the North which is in the Hudson Bay Basin and has expressed support for a Devils Lake inlet that would remove water from the Missouri River Basin;

WHEREAS, Congress is considering energy and water appropriations which includes $5 million in federal funding for an outlet from Devils Lake;

WHEREAS, the State of North Dakota has urged the U.S. Senate to oppose a recent Senate amendment to energy and water appropriations that would restrict the out of basin transfer of Missouri River water via an inlet to the Devils Lake Basin;

WHEREAS, in dry years the Missouri River represents 65 percent of the flow in the reach of the Mississippi River between St. Louis, Missouri and Cairo, Illinois, the diversion of water from the Missouri River basin could adversely impact navigation on the Mississippi River by diminishing its flows;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the member states of the Upper Mississippi River Basin Association believe Missouri River water should be kept flowing within its basin and available to make its contribution to the Mississippi River;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Upper Mississippi River Basin Association opposes diversion of Missouri River water out of basin via the Devils Lake Basin, including the proposed Devils Lake outlet, in the absence of a complete and full analysis of alternatives consistent with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act;

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the Upper Mississippi River Basin Association calls on Congress and the Executive Branch to assure that no construction of Devils Lake outlet or inlet projects is initiated prior to the completion of an Environmental Impact Statement.

Approved September 24, 1997 by the Upper Mississippi River Basin Association at its Quarterly Meeting.