Burgum surveys flooding in northeast North Dakota, meets with local leaders to discuss response, recovery

Governor Doug Burgum on Monday surveyed flooding in northeast North Dakota, meeting with local leaders on flood response and recovery, including efforts to stabilize the Bourbanis Dam upstream of Cavalier.

The governor was joined by Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, adjutant general of the North Dakota National Guard and director of the state Department of Emergency Services, North Dakota Homeland Security Director Darin Hanson and Department of Water Resources Director Andrea Travnicek as they met with Cavalier Mayor Lacey Hinkle, state Rep. David Monson and other local officials in Cavalier for a briefing on flood fighting efforts and discussion about future flood protection needs.

“We’re deeply grateful for the outstanding local leadership during this historic flood fight, with dozens of local, state and federal agencies collaborating with hundreds of volunteers to protect lives and property in northeast North Dakota,” Burgum said. “Thanks to their valiant efforts, communities are holding their own but remain at risk from widespread overland flooding and swollen dams and waterways, with rivers still yet to crest in cities like Pembina and Drayton. The State of North Dakota will continue to bring a whole-of-government approach to helping local governments fight floods while also supporting efforts to make their communities more resilient against flooding and other natural disasters in the long-term.”

During a roundtable discussion at the American Legion in Cavalier, local officials gave an update on efforts to stabilize the Bourbanis Dam. The previous week, the North Dakota National Guard helped slow erosion of the earthen dam by using two Black Hawk helicopters to place 213 1-ton sandbags. The Minnesota National Guard also responded to an Emergency Management Assistance Compact request from North Dakota, providing a Chinook helicopter that strategically placed two 5-ton water pumps capable of pumping 4,000 gallons per minute to relieve pressure on the dam.

“We’re currently just trying to get water out of the dam as quickly as possible,” said Zach Herrmann of Houston Engineering, engineer for the Pembina County Water Resource Board. He noted repairs and improvements are planned once the water level drops, and officials are hoping this week’s rainfall comes slowly enough to manage the situation with what’s in place. “We’re definitely not out of the woods with Bourbanis Dam yet.”

After the roundtable, Burgum toured Renwick Dam at Icelandic State Park west of Cavalier. The dam underwent an $8.9 million rehabilitation project partially funded by the state in 2013 and has performed well during the current flood, officials said.

Read the full release

Burgum waives hours of service for commercial drivers hauling agricultural inputs due to shortened spring planting season

Gov. Burgum on Tuesday signed an executive order granting a waiver of hours of service requirements for drivers of commercial motor vehicles transporting all agricultural inputs, including dry fertilizer, liquid fertilizer, anhydrous ammonia, pesticides and seed, to assist producers in North Dakota who are facing a delayed spring and limited timeframe for planting and treating fields.

“Due to late snowfalls, extended cold, historic flooding and extreme weather events, our North Dakota farmers are facing a challenging and compressed planting season in addition to global supply chain disruptions and labor and facility shortages,” Burgum said. “Waiving hours of service for these commercial drivers will help ensure that sufficient planting and fertilizer resources are available during this delayed and shortened planting season.”

The 30-day waiver was requested by state Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring. All road safety and vehicle compliance regulations still apply.

The order can be viewed here.

Burgum announces 2022-2023 Governor’s Band and Chorus programs from Bismarck and Jamestown

Gov. Burgum on Tuesday announced that the Bismarck Century High School Wind Ensemble and Jamestown High School Choir have been selected as the 2022-2023 Governor’s Official State Band and Choral Programs.

“Congratulations to these two outstanding groups of young people who do an exceptional job representing their schools, their communities and our state,” Burgum said. “Music and the arts make schools and communities more vibrant and culturally rich places, and the Century High School Wind Ensemble and Jamestown High School Choir are shining examples of the incredibly talented musicians in our North Dakota schools.”

The Century High School Wind Ensemble is currently under the direction of Chris Dasovick. The ensemble consists of 47 students who perform at a large number of community, regional and state events and competitions, as well as for audiences in other states as part of the school’s marching band. The ensemble performs numerous concerts each year, has consistently received the highest ratings at festivals across the country and has been recognized for excellence by some of the nation’s top conductors. Members are routinely selected to one of the North Dakota All State Music Ensembles.

The Jamestown High School Choir, under the direction of Cheryl McIntyre, is comprised of 85 of the top vocalists at Jamestown High School. Students perform a variety of men’s, women’s and mixed selections and have the opportunity to participate in the student-choreographed Show Choir. Members compete at North Dakota State Music, with a number receiving Star ratings. Throughout the year, the choir performs in numerous concerts and students share their talents at businesses, long-term care facilities and elementary schools in the community.

“We again thank the students from Larimore High School Senior Choir and the Bismarck Legacy High School Wind Ensemble for representing musicians across the state for the past year,“ Burgum said. “Your participation in the State of the State address highlighted the talent and success of your music programs.”

The Governor’s Band and Chorus were selected from applications submitted by school and civic groups from across the state based on musical talent, achievement and community involvement. They may be invited to perform at official state functions throughout the year.

Virtual education series for state employees on finance-related topics begins on May 19

Bank of North Dakota is kicking off a new virtual education series for state employees on finance-related topics to help them excel in their roles and concentrate on battling fraud on the front lines.

These will be held monthly, and attendees will be able to register for those that interest them. The Bank will host the first 'Your Direct Line' on May 19. The audience for this topic is state agency front-line or back-office staff members who work with the receipt or disbursement of payments or financial transactions, or anyone who approves or requests transactions on behalf of their agency.

Click below to register for the event. All sessions will be recorded and available via recording but you must register to receive the recording.

Register Here

Burgum congratulates Bismarck on sesquicentennial, directs Capitol lights to mark 150-year history of city

Gov. Burgum congratulated the City of Bismarck on its 150-year history and directed the lights of the Capitol to display the number 150 to mark the capital city’s sesquicentennial year, which officially began Saturday, May 14.

“As we join together today and throughout the coming year to celebrate and honor Bismarck’s Sesquicentennial, we look to the past, present and future with the same enduring pioneer spirit that sparked its inception,” Burgum stated in a congratulatory letter to the city. “From the historic Lewis and Clark expedition through the Missouri Crossing to the brief railway that inspired Edwinton to its final nomenclature as Bismarck on May 14, 1872, the city has proudly reflected the dreams and journeys of those drawn to our nation’s heartland.”

“Thank you, Bismarck residents, for your perseverance, initiative and agility as you support new endeavors and strengthen historical ties,” added Burgum, whose grandmother, Jessamine Slaughter Burgum, was among the first children born in Bismarck in 1873. “Whether in famine and flood or abundance and joy, you are an independent, innovative and inclusive collection of individuals and your city reflects this. As you embark on the grand adventures of the next 150 years, we applaud your many achievements and look forward to the many others yet to come.”

Read the governor’s full letter here. Burgum expressed his gratitude to the state’s Facility Management Division staff for coordinating the Capitol lights display.

Registration for the Governor's Summit on Innovative Education is now open!

The FREE event will continue to focus on innovative instructional best practices to personalize learning, as well as other community-derived solutions to best prepare young people for the 21st century economy and citizenship.

Reserve your seat today at the link below:

Registration is open!

Boards and Commissions openings

Currently, there are 48 boards or commissions openings accepting applications.

Boards and Commissions is made up of North Dakota citizens appointed to represent their community and peers as they help influence policies and programs that play an instrumental and invaluable role to help Empower People, Improve Lives and Inspire Success.

The Governor appoints to over 150 Boards and Commissions representing a wide variety of industries.

To be considered for an appointment candidates are invited to complete the application located below.

Boards and Commissions

Main Street Initiative Survey

The North Dakota Main Street team is excited to begin planning visits for 2022 and beyond. We genuinely look forward to the opportunity to meet with MSI communities again and catch up on the progress and reflect on the challenges brought in 2020 and 2021.

To help us identify potential community visits, we ask you to complete a brief survey in order for us to plan a successful year!

Take the survey!

Click Here for more information.