Supporters of the Red River diversion project are asking a state Senate committee to remove amendments to the state Water Commission budget that they say will kill the project.
The amendments – introduced by House Majority Leader Al Carlson (R-Fargo) and approved by the house – say no further money can be spent on home buyouts or ring dike projects until the federal government approves its share of the one-point-seven Billion dollar project cost.
Cass County Commission chairman Darrell Vanyo told the Senate Appropriations Committee – having a state commitment in hand will help get federal money flowing.
"We've been told that the federal government is not so much interested in what the local and state financing might be, " said Vanyo. "They are more interested in what has been committed. We wask that you allow us to go to Washington, DC with the full support of the state."
Aaron Snyder of the Corps of Engineers is the project director. He told the committee the project has already been approved.
"That plan has been reviewed in a number of ways, by the Corps of Engineers and by outside experts," Snyder told the committee. "It's made it through all of those reviews as the best possible plan."
But opponents say the state should not spend any more money on the diversion – and should instead study some alternatives. Dennis Biever lives in Bakke Township. He says the bill still contains $100-million to build permanent levees in Fargo to 42 and a half feet.
"Let's spend the money on achieving the 42 and a half feet of protection," said Biever. "Let's not worry about placing ring dikes eight miles south of Fargo, that will wipe out my community and farms in our township."
"This is Fargo's project," said Craig Hertsgaard, who farms near Kindred. "The diversion should not become Fargo's project."
The committee chairman – Sen. Ray Holmberg (R-Grand Forks) – says the measure will be assigned to a subcommittee.