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Flood Diversion Board of Authority—March 13, 2014 3 <br />7. RED RIVER BASIN COMMISSION, Final report on Halstad Upstream Retention <br />Study <br />Jeff Lewis from the Red River Basin Commission provided an update on the Halstad Upstream Retention (HUR) Study. He said they have finalized the report, which is now available to the public. The study identified 96 local sites with <br />conceptual locations, providing tools necessary to consider specific projects for <br />regional performance. He said the HUR report does not evaluate retention as an <br />alternative to the current diversion project. He said the next step is for the diversion authority to review the policy recommendations and finalize the application package. <br /> <br />Mr. Mahoney asked how long it would take to build 96 retention sites. Mr. Lewis <br />said 20 years would be a very optimistic estimate. Using a rough estimate of $2,000 per acre-foot of storage, the cost would be $1.2 billion. MOTION, passed <br />Mr. Walaker moved and Ms. Otto seconded to approve the final <br />report of the Halstad Upstream Retention Study conducted by <br />the Red River Basin Commission. Discussion: Mr. Vanyo said the study establishes how the diversion board may look at retention projects that are submitted for consideration. Motion <br />carried. <br /> <br />8. PUBLIC OUTREACH UPDATE Committee report <br />The Public Outreach Committee met on March 12th. Rocky Schneider, Diversion <br />Consultant, discussed numerous outreach activities including: helped distribute <br />information about the Red River Basin Commission retention study; prepared <br />information for trip by diversion members and staff to Washington, D.C.; participated in a meeting with the Homebuilders Association to provide the latest project update; and continued communication with federal congressional offices regarding project <br />authorization through the WRDA/WRRDA legislation. <br /> <br />Business Leaders Task Force update Ann McConn said the task force continues to support the activities of the diversion authority, and is willing to provide any assistance that is needed to help educate <br />others regarding the project. <br /> <br />9. LAND MANAGEMENT UPDATE Committee report <br />Mr. Walaker said the Land Management Committee met earlier this afternoon. He <br />said the committee discussed farmland acquisitions, and necessary paperwork that <br />may need to be signed during the process. The diversion authority has hired the <br />Pifer Group to provide farmland management services. Currently, the diversion chairman is the only person allowed to execute documents from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) related to farm programs. A recommendation <br />was made to appoint other individuals to sign the necessary paperwork in order to <br />move the process along. <br />