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Oct 19, 2009 9:27 pm US/Central
Corps Narrows Options For ND, Minn. Flood Control
MOORHEAD, Minn. (AP) ―
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The Army Corps of Engineers has three options for possible flood control near the Red River. (File)
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The Army Corps of Engineers said Monday that a diversion channel through Minnesota, a similar channel through North Dakota or levees along the bank of the Red River are among the best flood control options for residents in the Moorhead-Fargo area.
Corps officials said local leaders should choose a plan by Dec. 1 so a proposal can be submitted to Congress by the end of the year. Six Minnesota diversion plans and three North Dakota alternatives that proposed channels or levees were studied. Cost estimates ranged from around $900 million to more than $1.3 billion.
"The next 90 days, I think, is going to be a critical period," said Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., who chaired a committee meeting with the corps on Monday.
The Red River stayed above flood stage in the Fargo area for a record 61 days last spring, causing damage expected to total in the millions of dollars, although a final tally has not yet been reached. Fargo residents fought off two crests, the first at a record 40.82 feet and the second at 34 feet.
"There is a determination here to no longer let things happen, but to make things happen," said Dorgan, who chairs the U.S. Senate's Energy and Water Subcommittee, which funds the Corps' efforts.
North Dakota Gov. John Hoeven added: "The task is clear. We now have to build a consensus."
Fargo City Commissioner Tim Mahoney, co-chairman of a group evaluating the corps' plans, said his group will meet as often as needed to come up with a recommendation.
Five of Minnesota's six diversion plans met the federal cost-benefit threshold, while North Dakota diversion plans came close, corps officials said.
The North Dakota plans still face challenges because more river tributaries must be considered as well as the potential effect on fish.
"The North Dakota diversion has a lot more uncertainty because we end up crossing all the tributaries," corps project manager Aaron Snyder said.
Public information meetings are scheduled in the area Tuesday and Wednesday to discuss the options.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty said the corps has responded to the challenge of coming up with suggestions.
"They're now putting options on the table and the ball is back in the court of local officials," Pawlenty said.
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According to the Minn. Dept. of Natural Resources, the Red River of the North flows 550 miles northward from Breckenridge, Minn. to Lake Winnepeg in Canada.
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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