Posted on October 11, 2016
By Riley Miller, WDAY
The mayors of Fargo and Moorhead, and the Army Corps say the diversion is full steam ahead, despite the Minnesota DNR denying a permit for construction.
The group showed a united front at a press conference today, complete with props. The Minnesota DNR denied the required permit for the F-M diversion project Monday.
But, the Army Corps says it’s going ahead with the project. The message at today’s press conference really focused on the community coming together and supporting it.
Officials say the project is about public safety 230,000 people live in the Metro. They say emergency flood fighting and sand bagging are not long-term solutions for any community.
Chief of Project Management says the Army Corps has spent eight years and more than $100-million working to find the right answer.
“This project is really about public safety and making sure that we deliver a project that provides public safety and national benefits. We believe we developed a project that does that, and that’s been confirmed by the congressional authorization,” said Aaron Snyder, US Army Corps of Engineers.
When asked what happens if the DNR refuses to change its stance. Snyder says they have the authorization and funding from Congress to move forward, and they will implement the project based on that authorization.
He says construction will begin this month.
Source: WDAY
