The Current A Newsletter from the Department of Water Resources - January 2026

Administration Division

Administration Division: Supporting DWR Every Day I’m proud to lead the Administration Division at the Department of Water Resources (DWR) and to highlight the work of our talented team. Our division provides essential support across DWR, including budgeting and financial operations, human resources and employee relations, records management and compliance, procurement and contract administration, and agency operations. By supporting these core functions, we ensure continuity, accountability, and consistent practices across the department, giving all programs the resources and guidance they need to succeed.  

Key Areas & Highlights

Agency Operations  Our division coordinates daily administrative processes, office resources, and essential logistical functions. We provide policy guidance, support the State Water Commission, and coordinate legal matters through the Office of the Director. Abby Ebach plays a key role in reviewing, updating, and implementing department-wide policies, providing clear guidance for staff across all divisions. Shana Brost coordinates the Department’s State Water Commission responsibilities, ensuring leadership and staff are aligned and supported. The addition of internal legal support with Jen Verleger has proven to be incredibly valuable, providing guidance to ensure legal compliance and smooth operations.   Financial Management & Budgeting  With the tireless efforts of Sarah Felchle, supported by Karen Heinert, Mike Frovarp, Shana Brost, and Kelli Schroeder, our team oversees DWR’s approximately $1 billion budget, managing procurement, grants, and contracts. We prepare financial and budget materials for daily operations, State Water Commission meetings, the Office of Management and Budget, the Governor’s Office, legislators, and other oversight bodies. Our team ensures compliance with state and federal requirements and facilitates audits. Recently, we processed close to 12,000 payments during the 23-25 biennium and received no findings in operational, statewide, or federal audits and developed a new cost-share tracking tool that simplifies reconciliation of grant data.   Human Resources  Human resources services, led by Missy Schmidt, include recruitment, hiring, onboarding and offboarding, payroll, performance reviews, and employee relations. Missy also provides guidance to staff and supervisors on personnel policies, workplace requirements, and internal communication. Since joining the department, she successfully implemented the transition of the annual review processes from paper-based to digital in PeopleSoft. With the help of several hiring managers, she has also filled 44 vacancies since February 2023, ensuring our teams are fully supported.   Records Management & Agency Support  Records management and agency support, led by Karen Heinert, ensures compliance with state requirements. Karen manages records retention schedules, oversees asset management, coordinates phone and mail processes, and played a critical role in supporting the Department’s move to the Bank from the State Office Building. Each year, she maintains 94 agency-specific record series and 69 general schedule record series. With support from Sheila Fryer, the team also maintains an inventory of 108 Department forms, ensuring consistency with state design standards and Legislative changes.   Other Accomplishments & Activities Our division recently completed the biennial year-end close and provided documentation for the State ACFR audit. During the 2025 legislative session, DWR secured five new FTE positions. In addition, the team is advancing continuity of government through standard operating procedures and cross-training critical responsibilities and will expand budget and fiscal support with the addition of a new accountant position.   Looking Ahead Our team continues to focus on supporting all divisions, maintaining high standards, and improving processes to ensure DWR can operate efficiently and effectively. I’m grateful for their dedication and excited for what we’ll accomplish next.

Updates To Administrative Code

On July 1, 2025, the Department published two packets of proposed changes to North Dakota Administrative Code.  The first packet addresses general Department updates, implements changes from several bills from the 2025 legislative session, adds a new permit-type to streamline sovereign lands permitting, and adjusts the sovereign lands violations fee structure. The second packet focuses on changes to construction and drain permitting and drainage complaints and appeals processes. Specifically, the proposed changes implement Department and applicant timelines for permit coordination, clarify application expectations for applicants and the Department, and support local control. The public comment period for both sets of changes closed on September 12, 2025. After considering comments, the Department sent the proposed changes to the Attorney General’s Office for legal review. The proposed rules are on track for an April 1, 2026, implementation date.

2025 Award Recipients

At our end-of-year in-house holiday gathering, DWR recognized several of our team members with various awards of recognition for high levels of achievement and performance.  Congratulations to all of the 2025 award recipients!   Breakwater Awards The Breakwater Award recognizes team members whose exceptional performance has helped protect, strengthen, and advance North Dakota's water resources. Like a breakwater that protects the shoreline, this individual reliably delivers excellence under pressure. Their work provides stability and confidence for both their team and for the people of North Dakota.

  Confluence Award The Confluence Award honors a team whose collective efforts have flowed together to create meaningful impact for North Dakota's water future. Like the meeting of rivers, these individuals bring their unique strengths, ideas, and perspectives into alignment to overcome challenges, build trust, and move forward together. Their collaboration demonstrates that when our paths converge around a shared mission, we achieve far more than we ever could alone.

  Ripple Award Great leadership starts small but spreads outward, influencing others and creating lasting change. This award honors team members whose leadership inspires positive ripples across DWR and beyond. Recipients lead not due to authority or job title, but through example by lifting others, sharing knowledge, and shaping culture of trust and growth. Their actions, however small they may seem, create waves of progress that strengthen Team DWR and Team ND alike.

  DWR’s Legendary Award The DWR Legendary Award is a top honor for the agency. This award celebrates a team member who has developed a breakthrough innovation in service of the public, DWR, or Team ND. This innovation will provide a positive impact to North Dakota for years to come and will enhance the image of the agency. This award will go to an individual that has created or dedicated significant resources or efforts towards a technological advancement, process or policy improvement upgrade, model or map development, or other measurable modernization through their role at DWR without sacrificing their day-to-day tasks.

  DWR’s Professionalism Award This award is a top honor for the agency. The Professionalism Award is given to a team member who has projected a positive image of themselves and DWR, demonstrated high-quality work, and continues to be a leader and collaborator across the entire agency.