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35 <br /> <br /> <br />Balancing the Costs and Impacts of Providing Public Safety <br />We already know the costs of comprehensive, adequate flood protection for Fargo-Moorhead will <br />exceed $2 billion. The Task Force discovered there is neither a cheaper nor more affordable <br />alternative. In fact, the Task Force's recommended changes, while balancing the location of impacts <br />along with the impact on the floodplain, have increased the overall cost to the taxpayer an estimated <br />$200 - $400 million. The ability to pay is finite while the need to provide for public protection is not. <br />We must be prudent as we balance funding challenges with public safety needs of our citizens and <br />future generations. <br /> <br />Remember the Land Permanently Sacrificed <br />Much of the focus of the Task Force was on impacts upstream where water is estimated to be staged <br />once every 21 years, which is a lower frequency as a result of the Task Force recommendation to <br />increase flows through town to 37 feet. Though I support this change, it's not without strong <br />reservations and concerns about increased public safety risks associated with allowing greater water <br />levels pushing against the over 20 miles of levees and floodwalls Fargo has built since 2009. <br /> <br />I felt the Task Force could have been provided a more detailed report during the presentation <br />regarding the goal to balance the impacts between the two states. <br /> <br />In addition to upstream property impacts, we also can't overlook the great sacrifice being asked of <br />many landowners who will permanently lose farmland under the footprint of construction. Over 8,000 <br />acres, almost all tillable, would be lost permanently due to construction and will need to be acquired <br />outright. Over 95% of this land is located within the State of North Dakota. Any further comparison <br />of impacts between the two states must include these impacted acres as well. <br /> <br />Compromise and Continued Communication <br />The Task Force allowed for an open exchange of ideas that resulted in numerous compromises. <br />Nothing is achieved successfully, for the long-term, unless compromise is sought at the start. These <br />compromises will ensure a viable, responsible and successful project. This communication cannot <br />stop now. I expect that these few meetings, which have already increased dialogue, will lead to <br />further collaboration among the Diversion Authority and the folks upstream and downstream, and <br />of course our neighbors in Minnesota. <br />