In reponse to: [wpdm_file id=18]
STATE OF MINNESOTA
Office of Governor Mark Dayton
116 Veterans Service Building • 20 West 12th Street • Saint Paul, MN 55155
August 29th, 2014
Mr. Darrell Vanyo
Chairman
Flood Diversion Authority
211 – 9th Street South
Post Office Box 2806
Fargo, North Dakota 58108-2806
Dear Chairman Vanyo:
I am writing in response to your August 26th letter, in which you cite my August 21′ letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. While your letter references a meeting between the Diversion Authority and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), it also acknowledges that the discussion at that meeting was unrelated to the concerns I raised in my letter.
Your letter states: “We had what I thought was a really productive meeting that led to an agreement on a goal for the schedule to complete the State’s EIS, a statement by the Diversion Authority that it would forebear from construction of the diversion channel until the scheduled goal for that completion, and that the Diversion Authority Board would hold a special meeting this week on August 28 to consider a request for significant additional funding from the MDNR.” MDNR Commissioner Landwehr and his staff confirmed that the Diversion Authority agreed to make a statement forebearing construction of the diversion channel. However, my letter does not address the construction of this component of the project. Rather, my letter expresses my concerns that the Diversion Authority has begun construction of the ring levee around the Oxbow-Hickson-Bakke communities. I have been informed that at no time during the August 20th meeting, nor on any other occasion, have you agreed to halt construction of the ring levee. Therefore, your letter does not alleviate my concern about how this project’s construction is proceeding.
Your letter references your timeline for commencing construction of the diversion channel, which is another concern. You state that you agree to forebear construction only until after the date Minnesota is to complete its environmental review has passed. By your own admission, the Diversion Authority is not agreeing to wait until the environmental review is actually complete. I have been told that you asked the DNR to set July 1, 2015, as the date for completion of Minnesota’s environmental review — something the DNR is not able to do as many factors could cause it to take longer — most notably, the number of comments received during the public comment period.
Beyond the environmental review process, Minnesota state law requires that projects of this scope and magnitude secure all necessary permits before construction can begin. Your letter acknowledges that the Diversion Authority has no intention of abiding by our state laws, which is another concern I raised with the Army Corps.
I am aware you are considering additional funding for the MDNR. However, your characterization of this as a “request” from the DNR isn’t entirely accurate. The MDNR did not approach the Diversion Authority seeking additional funding to expedite the environmental review. Rather, you asked the MDNR to submit a budget for your consideration, which would provide additional funding to complete the environmental review on a faster schedule. If you choose not to budget additional funds to accelerate the review, the MDNR will proceed on its current schedule.
The State of Minnesota and City of Moorhead have contributed $105 million to protect the city up to 42 feet of river stage, plus one-and-a-half to two-feet of freeboard. I am committed to ensuring that residents can live and work near the Red River without the fear of losing their homes or businesses. However, I have serious reservations with how the Diversion Authority is proceeding with this project. The voting members of your Board consist of seven members from North Dakota, two members from Minnesota, and no members from the upstream areas that would suffer the worst consequences from the project. My goal is to ensure that all Minnesotans impacted have a full voice in the decision-making process.
Sincerely,
Mark Dayton
Governor
[wpdm_file id=17]
Views: 319
another great letter from the govenor of mn addressing issues pertinent to mn. in reference to minnesota concerns and interests stemming from the fargo diversion. its obvious the diversion authority does not, nor ever has, been interested in due process. “rules are for other people” attitude.
its funny to me how quick the diversion authority offers to pay for the MNDNR EIS. As if they think the DNR can be bought and paid for like the corp can be bought and paid for. i have always wondered why no one cries “conflict of interest” about the situation of the corp conducting their EIS and it being paid for by the diversion authority. the corp wants this project badly for a feather in their cap and the subsiquent job opportunities this might bring individuals working on the diversion when the many faceted project is on their resume. and the diversion authority is paying for it? to ensure it passes and development in the slew south of fargo can continue? ok, i will do it. CONFLICT OF INTEREST.
Terry Guttormson
Hendrum, MN
Asked about Dayton’s request that construction stop until MN completes it’s permitting process Vanyo said: “…there’s nothing legally stopping us from doing what we’re doing.” This has been the essence of Fargo’s attitude since the beginning. Vanyo and the Diversion Authority will take what they want. This means flooding 35 sq. miles of upstream MN that doesn’t flood so Fargo can develop 35 square miles of rural Cass Co. flood plain that does.