Burgum issues statement calling on Biden administration to withdraw new Waters of the U.S. rule

Gov. Doug Burgum issued the following statement Wednesday calling on the Biden administration to withdraw its final Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule, warning that the rehashed Obama-era regulations would create confusion, add red tape and lead to higher consumer prices.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers published the final rule in the Federal Register on Wednesday. It repeals the definition of WOTUS that the Trump administration adopted in 2020 in its Navigable Waters Protection Rule. The final rule takes effect 60 days after it is published, unless legal action delays it.

“After North Dakota led the fight against the Obama administration’s misguided WOTUS rule, it’s disappointing that the Biden administration is doubling down on this overreaching policy,” Burgum said. “The EPA’s reworked version of WOTUS has the same problems as its predecessor, violating landowner rights and creating confusion for farmers, ranchers and industry by adding red tape and erroneously classifying almost every stream, pond and wetland as a federally managed water. The result will be higher costs for food, fuel and other consumer goods with no substantial benefit to the environment. North Dakota has some of the cleanest water in the nation, and this proposed rule threatens our state’s legitimate authority to protect our own waters from pollution. It’s a prime example of federal overreach that ought to be withdrawn, or at least delayed until the U.S. Supreme Court issues a decision in the Sackett v. EPA case related to Clean Water Act jurisdiction. We look forward to supporting North Dakota’s attorney general in challenging this new rule.”

NDCA announces recipients of 2023 ND Governor’s Awards for the Arts

Awards ceremony set for Wednesday, Feb. 1, at the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum in Bismarck

Gov. Burgum has selected the recipients of the 2023 Governor’s Awards for the Arts.

• Individual Cultural Heritage: Bill Lowman, Sentinal Butte,
• Nonprofit Arts Organization: Empire Arts Center, Grand Forks
• Individual Achievement: Pieper Fleck Bloomquist, Grand Forks
• Champion for the Arts: former state Sen. Joan Heckaman, Dickinson
• For-Profit Arts Organization: Makoché Recording Studios, Bismarck
• Arts in Education: Donald E. Larew, Fargo

Established in 1977, the North Dakota Governor’s Awards for the Arts is a biennial program presented by the Governor’s Office and North Dakota Council on the Arts (NDCA) to recognize organizations and individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the arts in the state. Recipients are chosen for their efforts to expand arts opportunities to new audiences, create an appreciation for North Dakota’s cultural heritage, make the arts more central to education, and incorporate arts as an integral part of community life. The nominees' length of service within the state is also a factor.

The awards reception and ceremony honoring this year’s recipients will be held Feb. 1 at the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum in Bismarck. The event will begin with a social in the Northern Lights Atrium at 5 p.m., which includes light appetizers with a cash bar. The awards ceremony will start at 6:30 p.m. in the Russell Reid Auditorium. The general public is invited to attend this celebration of the arts in North Dakota. Admission is free but capacity is limited; reservations are required by end of the day Thursday, Jan. 26.

Register for the event

Burgum welcomes 2022 NAIA National Champions in volleyball to Capitol

Gov. Burgum on Thursday welcomed the University of Jamestown women's volleyball team to the State Capitol to recognize the team on its 2022 National Championship.

The Jimmies entered the tournament as the second-ranked team and defeated No. 4 Corban in five sets to win the 2022 NAIA Women's Volleyball National Championship in early December.

In his 14th season as head coach, Jon Hegerle led the Jimmies to a record of 37-2 overall and their fourth-straight tournament final four appearance.

Miller welcomes NDBA members to Bankers Day at the Capitol

Lt. Gov. Tammy Miller addressed members of the North Dakota Bankers Association on Wednesday as part of Bankers Day at the Capitol.

Members spent the day attending hearings and seeing different aspects of the legislative process, including a floor session in the Senate chamber.

During the legislative session, various groups and organizations host events at the State Capitol to introduce members to the legislative process, meet legislators and members of Team ND and tour the Capitol.

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