Pros and cons listed, Hobart Lake outlet

Valley City (CSi) Environmentalists are concerned about a proposal to build an outlet to remove water from Hobart Lake into the Sheyenne River.

The plan calls for burying a pipe along three quarters of a mile with a half-a-mile of channel improvements to drain Hobart Lake water into the Sheyenne River.

The Barnes County Commission approved a letter of support for the $800,000 project that will use federal dollars through FEMA to drain Hobart Lake water into the river.

Commissioner John Froehlich says the estimated cost of the proposed Hobart Lake outlet to Barnes County is $130,000 to $150,000.

Paul Stenshoel believes a study should be done before the moving forward to drain Hobart Lake. He told the Barnes County Commission there are landowners prepared to file legal action if the Barnes County Water Resource District moves forward to build this outlet.