Fargo Moorhead Diversion Authority Monitor | An Independent News Organization
Fargo’s leaders have created a conflict of interest making Moorhead’s continued participation an unethical abuse of power that serves no legitimate Minnesota interest. The expanded plan does nothing for Minnesota and actually disadvantages Moorhead by subsidizing Fargo development into the flood plain south of the Metro.
Continue ReadingFargo Diversion Authority leaders claim opposition to their wealth transfer scheme is being orchestrated by a couple of counties that are “insignificantly inconvenienced”. The Diversion Authority’s attacks on the JPA and upstream residents are a sideshow. The JPA is defending the rights of its constituents, and is a model for what government should do.
Continue ReadingThe OHB levee is a project component of the F-M Project, without an independent basis for its construction as proposed. In light of the jurisdictional challenges and to protect the integrity of Minnesota’s environmental review process we will consider the OHB levee as a component of the F-M project in the state EIS. Consistent with Minnesota law, MDNR will not be making any final governmental approvals on the F-M project or any component thereof until the state’s EIS process is complete.
Continue ReadingI am familiar with your letter dated Jan. 14, 2014 to Darrel Vanyo, warning Fargo’s Diversion Authority that this action may violate Minnesota law. After receiving your letter, Fargo-Moorhead’s Diversion Authority concocted an “independent utility” story.
Continue ReadingSeated next to the Diversion Authority’s attorney in the courtroom was an attorney representing the Army Corps, aka, the United States Government. In discussions with the judge, the Army Corps attorney stated that federal law overrules state law only if it is a navigation project. This isn’t that type of project. Which, of course, means it’s a flood control project and states have as much right to control flood control projects as the feds do.
Continue ReadingWe have been accused of being against flood control for Fargo and Moorhead, but when we put forward a plan that could lessen the impacts in the counties and utilize the flood plain south of Fargo as a flood plain, it is insinuated that we don’t know or understand what we’re proposing.
Continue ReadingMaybe the players in this matter received bad legal advice, or maybe they’ve acted upon their own accord. What strikes me the most odd in all this…, is that it got by the ethical filters of all the parties involved.
Continue ReadingDon’t be misled, the law is clear. Minnesota has the final word on whether the Red River gets a dam. The Army Corps is essentially just Fargo’s paid contractor for this project, in no way exempt from the requirements of Minnesota law.
Continue ReadingMany people don’t trust the Diversion Authority or the Corps when they say the people upstream won’t be harmed by their project. Projects of this magnitude always have unintended consequences. Their pattern of behavior says this project is meant to protect Fargo and its future development land and the rhetoric and promises will never be kept.
Continue ReadingChairman Vanyo’s public response thus far has been to describe Ms. Townley and the DNR as being “confused,” having been duped by the Upstream Coalition. The purpose and intent behind the ring dike concept is well documented: mitigation of the impacts of the FM Diversion Project.
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