Reice Haase Director of ND Water Resources discusses critical use and asset Water

In this comprehensive interview on Open Range, host Gary Emineth sits down with Reice Haase, Director of the North Dakota Department of Water Resources, to explore the state's water infrastructure and management. Haase, a lifelong North Dakotan with a background in environmental science, discusses how his department oversees everything from water appropriations and flood control to major projects like the Southwest Pipeline and Northwest Area Water Supply. A key revelation is the critical role of North Dakota's oil industry in funding water infrastructure. Since 2007, nearly $4.5 billion in oil extraction tax revenue has been invested in water projects across the state, resulting in some of the lowest water costs in the nation at just $31 per month average. This funding supports flood control projects in Fargo and Minot, rural water systems, and drought relief programs for ranchers. Haase explains the state's "first in time, first in right" water appropriation system and highlights North Dakota's abundant water resources—using less than 0.5% of Missouri River flows annually and having 60 million acre feet of groundwater available. The department has deployed over 700 data collection units statewide, monitoring water levels in real-time to ensure sustainable management. Looking ahead, the department projects $3.4 billion in water needs over the next 14 years, with a potential $1.3 billion funding shortfall. To address this, they've implemented innovative cash management strategies and are studying long-term financing solutions. Major future projects include the Red River Valley Water Supply Project, which aims to bring Missouri River water to eastern North Dakota by 2031, ensuring continued water security for agriculture, municipalities, and industry statewide. #NorthDakotaWater #WaterResources #OilAndGasRevenue #WaterInfrastructure #AgriculturalWater