State Leaders Discuss Flood Protection

Government officials are in town to talk permanent flood protection.

If all goes according to plan, construction will start in the beginning of 2016.
 
Senator John Hoeven and Congressmen Kevin Cramer and Collin Peterson were at the latest diversion authority meeting.

State and local leaders reviewed the flood diversion plan and addressed issues like upstream flood protection.

Hoeven ensured that flood protection for the entire Red River Valley is his number one priority.

Hoeven says, “We have to make sure that it’s a comprehensive approach so it’s not just Fargo and Moorhead but the rural areas and that we’re addressing the upstream concerns.”

Mayor Mahoney agrees and believes this is a great time to continue to improve on the F-M area.

“The mood is pretty good right now. The Bison won their fourth championship in a row. It looks like spring is coming along. It’s pretty nice and we’re feeling good but the mood goes up and down and as you say Representative Cramer, if it starts to rain, something happens in March and April. That mood changes and people get concerned,” says Mahoney.

Hoeven is working on trying to find alternate sources of funding to cut down the federal government’s share of the costs.