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21 <br /> <br />legal requirements of the States of Minnesota and North Dakota, and fulfill the federal legal <br />requirements as defined in Executive Order 11988 – Floodplain Management. I am encouraged by <br />the work that was done by the Task Force and I look forward to implementing the findings and <br />recommendations of the Task Force and the continued work of the Technical Advisory Group in <br />my role as one of the City of Moorhead’s representatives on the Flood Diversion Board of <br />Authority. This is a defining moment for the Metro Area, one that will minimize our flood risk <br />significantly and ensure our metro community remains vibrant, safe, and secure. Nevertheless, I <br />remain concerned about the individuals impacted by the construction and operation of a proposed <br />flood control project. Every effort needs to be done to mitigate potential negative consequences of <br />the project and treat affected citizens fairly throughout project development and implementation. <br /> The Task Force process allowed the discussion of major policy decisions with input from all <br />points of view. It allowed a robust discussion on the science and engineering behind the <br />implementation of physical elements of the project. Finally, it allowed a deep and straightforward <br />conversation with Federal and State regulators. Only when science, engineering, policy, and <br />regulations align will a feasible project present itself. <br />In closing, we will never be able to fully know what Mother Nature has in store for us, <br />however, we can make prudent decisions to manage the uncertainty and risk through sound <br />engineering judgement and scientific analysis while recognizing and minimizing the sacrifices people <br />have to make to implement a sound, just, and reasonable flood risk management plan. <br /> <br />Del Rae Williams- Mayor, Moorhead <br />Need for Flood Protection <br />The City of Moorhead needs additional flood protection and has been a local sponsor of the FM Metro <br />Flood Diversion Project since its inception in 2008. Even with the work that has been done in Moorhead, <br />including the construction of over 12 miles of levees and floodwalls and almost 250 acquisitions, our work is <br />not done. We came to realize that we can no longer complete the work alone as a city, nor should we. The <br />problem of flooding in the Red River Valley is bigger than Moorhead and we need to work together with <br />surrounding communities, in Minnesota and North Dakota, to provide the level of protection we need in a <br />way that makes sense. <br />Working with Fargo and other members of the Diversion Authority, we developed a good project which was <br />able to get federal authorization and federal appropriations. This was not an easy task. The Diversion Project <br />is big, complex, and comes with a hefty price, both financially and due to impacts. Unfortunately, the project <br />was unable to obtain a permit from the DNR in the form it was in. This left Moorhead without a path to <br />provide the level of flood protection it needs, and it left over 1,000 homes in the city with the risk of being <br />placed in the FEMA 100-year floodplain, therefore stuck with expensive mandatory flood insurance policies. <br />The people of Moorhead are grateful to Governor Mark Dayton for stepping in and helping usher a solution <br />and a way forward. It was clear that his strong leadership and considerable empathy was needed to bring all <br />parties to the table, resolve what could be resolved, and to help everyone better understand the needs and <br />challenges associated with keeping the public safe from flooding. Together, the Governors were able to do