Fargo Moorhead Diversion Authority Monitor | An Independent News Organization
[wpdm_file id=20] 211 9th Street South, P.o . Box 2806, Fargo, ND 58108- 2806 Phone 701-241-5600 Fax 701-241-5728 September 8th, 2014 The Honorable Mark Dayton Governor Mark Dayton 116 Veterans Service Building 20 West 12th St. St. Paul, MN 55155 Dear Governor Dayton, Thank you for visiting our community, and for the opportunity to discuss […]
Continue ReadingMN Governor Mark Dayton letter to Darrell Vanyo: “My goal is to ensure that all Minnesotans impacted have a full voice in the decision-making process.”
Continue ReadingDarrell Vanyo letter contradicts actions stating: “Diversion Authority’s obligation to its constituents across multiple jurisdictions, as well as its sincere interest in avoiding any further conflict with the MDNR review process.”
Continue ReadingThe Diversion Authority began construction of the Oxbow-Hickson-Bakke ring levee (Ring Levee) in North Dakota this past June. Given that land’s elevation, it is highly unlikely that this levee has independent utility separate from construction of the overall Project. Thus, construction of the Ring Levee, prior to completion of Minnesota’s EIS, violates our state’s law. Given the express commitments made by the Corps to Minnesota during the federal environmental review process and in the Chiefs Report, it is unacceptable that federal funding should be appropriated for the Fargo-Moorhead Project, or that construction should be allowed to begin prior to completion of Minnesota’s environmental review.
Continue ReadingInitial authorization is not the final word on a Corps project. Authorized projects may be modified for a number of reasons including cost changes and design modifications. The Corps may not commence construction on a significant flood control project without both Congressional authorization and a Congressional appropriation(s). Congressional authorization of a flood control project does not guarantee federal funding through a Congressional appropriation.
Continue ReadingNathan J. Hartshorn, MN Assistant Attorney General: The Project would flood thousands of acres of Minnesota farmland in order to expand development opportunities in the Fargo-Moorhead Metropolitan Area. The Project also would require construction of a high-hazard dam on the Red River, upstream of Minnesota communities. This high hazard dam requires MDNR dam safety and work in public waters permits, and triggered a mandatory Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) under Minnesota law.
Continue ReadingNathan J. Hartshorn, MN Assistant Attorney General: MDNR has a significant interest in this matter because the Fargo-Moorhead Flood Diversion Board of Authority (“Diversion Authority”) asserts that the proposed Fargo-Moorhead flood diversion project (“Project”) is not subject to State regulation. The Project would flood tens of thousands of acres of Minnesota farmland in order to expand development opportunities in the Fargo-Moorhead metropolitan area.
Continue ReadingProject Failure: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers fails to explore options and alternative that DO NOT promote encroachment and urban sprawl into the last natural flood plain south of Fargo, ND in direct and indirect violation of Executive Order 11988 (EO11988). More to the point, the limited alternatives explored are concentric to the “exploitation for urban sprawl” into the last natural flood plain south of Fargo, ND.
Continue ReadingThis is a new tactic and was prompted perhaps by Fargo’s tardy realization that the project will not survive Minnesota’s permitting process. The State of Minnesota now needs to defend its laws and its citizens from Fargo’s development plan. If you are a Minnesota resident it is very important that you immediately contact your representatives and let them know your feelings and the importance of this matter.
Continue ReadingBeth Askegaard and Rolaine Askegaard write to MN Attorney General Lori Swanson to question leaders in St. Paul and Washington value our community, Clay and Wilkin Counties, as belonging to Minnesota. Fargo Diversion Authority insists on developing the natural flood plain south of the city and relocating water impacts onto Minnesota.
Continue Reading