Secretary Salazar to Visit North Dakota, Meet State and Tribal Leaders, Announce Indian Affairs Economic Recovery Projects

Will be Joined by U.S. Senators Byron Dorgan and Kent Conrad, U.S. Rep. Earl Pomeroy and North Dakota Governor John Hoeven

Media Contact: Frank Quimby, (DOI) 202-208-6416 | Nedra Darling, OPA-IA Phone: 202-219-4152
For Immediate Release: April 24, 2009

On Saturday, April 25, 2009, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar will visit North Dakota, where he will be joined by Senators Byron L. Dorgan (D-ND) and Kent Conrad (D-ND) Rep. Earl Pomeroy (D-ND) and Gov. John Hoeven, and meet with local leaders and tribal officials. The Secretary will announce Interior’s Indian Affairs funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. He also will visit communities hit by recent flooding and confer with state and federal flood response officials.

Event #1 -- Tour of State Emergency Operations Center

Who: Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar U.S. Senator Byron L. Dorgan (D-ND) U. S. Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND) U.S. Rep. Earl Pomeroy (D-ND) North Dakota Governor John Hoeven
What: Tour State Joint Emergency Operations Center and briefing on flood response coordination efforts
When: The tour will begin at 8 a.m. CDT in the Emergency Operations Center
Where: The Emergency Operations Center is Building #35 in the National Guard facility on Fraine Barracks Lane, west side of Bismarck, North Dakota, 58506
Media: Credentialed media re invited to join the tour and briefing.

Event # 2 – Recovery Act Indian Affairs Funding Announcement at United Tribes Technical College

Who: Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar U.S. Senator Byron L. Dorgan (D-ND) U. S. Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND) U.S. Rep. Earl Pomeroy (D-ND) North Dakota Governor John Hoeven Tribal leaders and College officials
What: Announcement of Interior’s Indian Affairs funding to federally-recognized tribes and tribal communities under American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
When: The news conference will begin at 10 a.m. CDT
Where: United Tribes Technical College, 3315 University Drive, Bismarck, North Dakota. Lower Level Meeting Room of the Jack Barden Student Life Building
Media: All credentialed media are invited to join the news conference.

Event # 3 -- Fort Berthold Three Affiliated Tribes

Who: Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar U.S. Senator Byron L. Dorgan (D-ND) U. S. Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND) Leaders and officials of the Three Affiliated Tribes
What: Media availability on Secretary’s meetings with leaders of Three Affiliated Tribes
When: The media availability begins at 12:45 p.m. CDT
Where: Three Affiliated Tribes Administrative Headquarters, 404 Frontage Road New Town, North Dakota. Tribal Business Council Meeting Chambers
Media: Credentialed media are invited to participate in this media availability

Event # 4 -- Beulah Coal Gasification Plant

Who: Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar U.S. Senator Byron L. Dorgan (D-ND) U. S. Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND)
What: Briefing at Dakota Gasification Company’s Great Plains Synfuels Plant
When: The briefing begins at 1:00 p.m. CDT
Where: Great Plains Synfuels Plant, 420 Country Road 26, Beulah, North Dakota
Media: Credentialed media are invited to join the briefing

Event # 5 -- Fargo Flooding Briefing and Community Meeting

Who: Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar U.S. Senator Byron L. Dorgan (D-ND) U. S. Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND)
What: Media availability
When: Media availability begins at 5 p.m. CDT
Where: Fargo City Hall, Outside City Commission Chambers, 200 3rd Street North, Fargo, North Dakota
Media: Credentialed media are invited to participate in this media availability