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JAMESTOWN, N.D.(NewsDakota.Com) – Road access in Stutsman County has been unprecedentedly challenging since last fall. Township roads have seen a lot of damage because of the wetter than normal fall and early winter.

Last week, U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Water, visited flooding damage in Stutsman County. Following the visit, Senator Cramer – with members of the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services (NDDES) and Senator Hoeven – participated in a town hall hosted by District 29 state legislators. Regional representatives of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) also attended at Senator Cramer’s request.

At the Stutsman County commission meeting on Tuesday, Chief Operating Officer Nicole Meland gave an update on FEMA’s disaster response. Meland stated that FEMA haven’t approved costs, because they have not approved the cost of gravel. FEMA is saying the costs are too high compared to counties that surround Stutsman.

Meland also said it has been difficult working with the state level because of the pandemic…

Meland said it has been a battle. She feels the state has given no attention to Stutsman County on this issue.

Commissioner Dave Schwartz says he asked representatives to be allowed to come and inspect these sights, but the Governor won’t allow personnel to do it…

Meetings will be held with Township officers on Thursday and Friday to go over what has been approved by FEMA for the fall 2019 damages.