N.D. Cent. Code § 61-40-12
The authority shall follow the state water commission requirements for funding through the resources trust fund or Bank of North Dakota state-guaranteed loans and shall present the overall plan and project components to the state water commission for funding approval. Priority on project funding first is reserved for state-guaranteed loan payments if not met by industrial water depot and lateral sales, second is for full repayment of existing federal debt if 7 U.S.C. 1926(b) protection for oil and gas exploration and production industrial water sales is asserted, and third for expanding domestic water supply to areas currently not served. In accepting construction funding, the authority and participating member entities agree to not hinder or prevent depot and lateral industrial water sales for oil and gas exploration and production.
N.D.C.C. § 61-40-12