61-01-26.1. Findings and declaration of policy - Water to eastern North Dakota a critical priority - Water supplementation study - Employment of staff

61-01-26.1. Findings and declaration of policy - Water to eastern North Dakota a critical priority - Water supplementation study - Employment of staff. The legislative assembly finds that many areas and localities in eastern North Dakota do not enjoy safe drinking water. It is also found that other areas and localities in eastern North Dakota do not have sufficient quantities of water to ensure a dependable, long-term water supply. The legislative assembly further finds that supplementation of the water resources of eastern North Dakota from other available sources, including the Missouri River, may be the only alternative to provide eastern North Dakota with a dependable source of safe, good quality water and an adequate quantity of water. It is further declared that effective development and utilization of the land and water resources of this state; the opportunity for greater economic security; the protection of health, property, enterprise, and the preservation of the benefits from the land and water resources of this state; and the promotion of the prosperity and general welfare of all of the people of North Dakota involve, necessitate, and require the exercise of the sovereign powers of the state and concern a public purpose. Therefore, in order to accomplish this public purpose, it is declared necessary that a means to supply and distribute water to the people of eastern North Dakota for all beneficial purposes must be developed. In furtherance of this public purpose, the supply and delivery of water to eastern North Dakota is established as a critical priority and the state water commission shall, in cooperation with the Garrison Diversion Conservancy District and the communities and rural water systems in eastern North Dakota, address this critical priority by developing a plan and estimate of the costs for supplementing the water resources of eastern North Dakota with water supplies from other available resources, including the Missouri River. The state water commission may employ full-time personnel and may employ such other personnel as are necessary for the administration of this section as appropriated funds permit. Notwithstanding section 61-02-64.1, funds disbursed from the contract fund or appropriated for purposes of administering this section may be used for salaries and expenses of persons employed pursuant to this section.