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~\ ~' ~ Red River Valley Water Supply Project Talking Points: As one of North Dakota's greatest resources, the Missouri River needs to be put to use for the benefit of the entire state. Impacts to the Missouri River will be minimal since this project is a supplemental water supply project and will only need water from the Missouri River during a time of severe drought. Even then, less than one half of one percent of average flows would be needed. GDU Import to the Sheyenne River Alternative is North Dakota's preferred alternative for several reasons. o Has the capability to meet the water supply needs of the Red River Valley now and in the future o Is designed to provide the core infrastructure for all water systems in the Valley o Will be flexible enough to accommodate industrial growth and entertain the possibility offuture expansions o Does not have any significant negative environmental impacts o Provides the most positive environmental benefits o Is the least-cost alternative of those considered · Drought frequency and climatic research concludes that a drought such as the one that occurred in the 1930s is likely to happen again before 2050. · With today's population and water demands, if a I 930s-type drought hit the Red River Valley today, the Valley would be short water every year of that I O-year drought. · The worst monthly shortage of a severe drought, if one occurred today, could be as high as 46%. · A severe drought would devastate the Red River Valley if a reliable water supply is not secured. Studies show if a water supply shortage is greater than 15% industries will leave the area. ' · A future I 930s-type drought in the Red River Valley would produce a negative economic impact of $2.4 billion annually. · Most Red River Valley residents and cities rely on the Red River and its tributaries as their primary or sole source of water. · 42.4% ofND's population resides in the Red River Valley (RRV). · 52% ofND sales and use tax collections are derived from the 13 RRV counties. · If a solution is not found, water sources like Lake Ashtabula and the Sheyenne and Red Rivers would suffer negative environmentai impacts during a severe drought.