Federal Judge Halts Ring Dike Project

Sorry, this video is no longer available

A federal judge in Minneapolis has ruled to stop construction on part of the FM Diversion.

The Oxbow-Hickson-Bakke ring dike project south of Fargo has been delayed until the Minnesota DNR completes its environmental analysis.

Although opponents of the diversion realize this may only be temporary, they are very pleased with the judge’s decision.

“It didn’t surprise me but at the same time maybe it will make the diversion authority think before they forge ahead and do things without respecting Minnesota’s state government and the DNR and their study,” says Mike Bice, owner of Knickerbocker Liquor Locker in Hickson.

That was Mike Bice’s reaction to hearing that a judge stopped work on the ring dike. He owns a business in Hickson and has been posting signs about his opposition to the construction.

“Throughout the whole process it seems like a lot of it is they’ve just kind of put the cart in front of the horse and maybe the federal judge sees that as well. I guess that’s the way I take the whole thing,” Bice says.

He and several others in the area are not happy with the decision to start building the dike before the details of the diversion project are finalized.

“Let’s do the due process and let’s wait and let’s not move ahead on a project that’s a part of an entire diversion project. It’s not an independent utility this is part of the diversion,” says Richland County Commissioner Nathan Berseth.

He also thinks that a smaller-scale project could have been feasible.

“If they wanted to build a two or three foot berm around us and had to relocate a few houses and stuff like they do I mean that would be probably fine and acceptable to everybody in the upstream group. But they’re going for the Rolls Royce plan in the diversion at it is rather than just protecting the city of Fargo as it is,” says Bice.

But the city of Fargo recognizes that residents like Bice need some clarification.

“A lot of times in the flood control and in the diversion, what people are just asking for is clarity so you can make plans. You know, here’s what’s going to happen and then you can react and do the things you need to do,” says Fargo Mayor Tim Mahoney.

Mayor Mahoney along with the Diversion Authority will be meeting Thursday to discuss this recent decision and hopefully find answers for those affected by the dike project.