Diversion Fight Heats Up with Influx of Federal Funding

New federal funding could be a potential step forward for the Red River Diversion.

Dueling diversion meetings offered an insight into the process.

There was one in Fargo, where local and federal leaders talked about what it will take to get the diversion done, and one in Hickson, where people upstream talked about ways to prevent what they see as a danger to their communities.

North Dakota’s Kevin Cramer and Minnesota’s Collin Peterson met with locals at the Knickerbocker in Hickson to discuss the future Red River diversion channel.

“I’m not sure anybody knows at this point,” says Rep. Peterson.

Up the road and down the stream in Fargo, officials broke down the latest development in the project.

Congress gave $690 million to the Army Corps of Engineers in its year–end spending bill, along with the green light to begin six new projects.

“Really, the federal government has what it needs to move forward,” says North Dakota Senator John Hoeven.

Back in Hickson, an area that would become a holding pond if the Red River floods, people aren’t thrilled.

Nathan Berseth with the Richland/Wilkin Joint POwers Authority claims, “Fargo has chosen to flood an area that doesn’t flood to protect an area that does flood.”

The extra money going to the Corps doesn’t guarantee the F–M Diversion will happen.

In fact, it’s illegal to earmark the money for a specific project.

As Representative Peterson was eager to point out, there are still several roadblocks in the way.

“This is a high–hazard dam”, Rep. Peterson says. “The DNR hasn’t permitted a high–hazard dam in Minnesota in over 30 years.”

Peterson says the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources won’t finish an environmental impact study on the project until February or March.

A lawsuit against the diversion remains entangled in the court system.

Officials don’t expect movement on that for months.

Congressman Cramer, the one man at both meetings, says it was vital to get funding lined up for the project, even if details still need to be ironed out.

Rep. Cramer adds, “You know that opportunity may not present itself a year from now or ever, so I think that Congress acted properly.”

The Flood Diversion Authority has some competition for the Corps of Engineers’ attention.

Officials say there are dozens of proposals for projects around the country, with only six available slots for 2016.