<< Read and Download Original Dallas Israelson Comment Letter >>
October 30,2011
Dear Mr. Coleman:
Re: Red River Diversion Plan
My family resides in Richland County, North Dakota. The plan calls for a dam that will stage water in rural Cass, Richland, Clay and Wilken Counties, destroying homes, communities and farms.
As residents of Cass and Richland County, North Dakota, we are expected to pay the cost of a plan that benefits only the future growth of Fargo, North Dakota. The Red River Diversion has been determined to only benefit Moorhead, MN by 6%. Yet Minnesota tax payers are expected to contribute 100’s of millions of dollars. As rural residents we have had no voice in these proceedings, in fact the leadership of Wilken County have been excluded from participating in these decisions. Moorhead and Minnesota have already spent the money to protect Moorhead up to a level in excess of a 100 year flood. According to the Army Corps this area has never in recorded history ever seen a 100 year flood event.
Even if there was a risk of a huge flood there are several alternatives to protect Moorhead and Fargo that have not been explored or have been disregarded by the decision makers, primarily North Dakota leaders.
The Minnesota DNR has raised serious questions about the adequacy of this plan.
Minnesota and the rural areas that will lose home, schools and farmland cannot afford this plan that benefits only the future development of Fargo, North Dakota.
Please do not fund this plan.
Sincerely,
Dallas Israelson
Views: 51