01-18-2018 - Laserfiche WebLink

10 before the project proceeds. Also needed to be made public is a detailed budget, for both the capital investments and the annual operating expenditures, the anticipated sources and amounts of funds, and the intended fiscal and operating authorities. The Diversion Authority now has the responsibility to take all of these views and recommendations and combine them into a permittable application to the Minnesota DNR. I stand ready to work with my colleague, Governor Burgum, on other matters regarding this important project. Governor Burgum: Reviving the stalled effort to provide permanent flood protection for the greater Fargo-Moorhead area has been an exercise in the art of the possible. I extend my gratitude to Governor Dayton, task force members, the technical advisory group, Minnesota and North Dakota regulatory agencies, and the engaged citizens who made this public process so productive. We put collaboration ahead of litigation and gathered informed and passionate perspectives from all sides around the same table. We explored a variety of concepts to provide regional protection and, through the process of elimination, made notable strides in identifying approaches that could ensure permanent protection in a cost-effective manner. Still, much work remains with needed additional collaboration between the Diversion Authority, Minnesota DNR, Army Corps of Engineers and Richland-Wilkin JPA. As stated at the convening meeting, we must develop a project that is permittable under North Dakota and Minnesota law. It remains clear that a diversion channel with control structures is the only economically viable solution that will provide certifiable protection for citizens, relieving thousands of ND and MN homeowners of the need to purchase flood insurance and allow the region to fight floods beyond a 100-year event. The need for permanent flood protection is well understood. A solution has been nearly a decade in the making; and now, protection can and must be completed in an expedited fashion. We cannot afford to risk another event like the devastating 1997 Grand Forks-East Grand Forks flood. The Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo greater metro is the region’s largest economic engine – and must be protected from a catastrophic flood event. We are deeply grateful for the dedicated engagement from all parties involved to move the conversation closer to resolution. My office will continue to work in partnership with Governor Dayton toward finalizing a permittable project, and I commend him for his commitment and engagement throughout this process and his dedication to finding a solution.