The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources requests public comments on its draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) describing the potential environmental and social effects of a proposed flood diversion project in the Fargo-Moorhead area. The document evaluates and discloses the potential project impacts and proposed mitigations for those impacts.
Decisions about whether to proceed with the project can only be made after the final environmental impact statement is completed. For the state of Minnesota, decisions about whether to proceed will involve both permitting and funding.
The Fargo-Moorhead Diversion Authority has proposed the project. The Diversion Authority’s purpose for the proposed project is to reduce flood risk, flood damages and flood protection costs related to flooding in the Fargo-Moorhead metropolitan area.
The project would create two dams spanning the Wild Rice River (North Dakota) and Red River (North Dakota and Minnesota). Operation of these dams would create an upstream water storage area and divert a portion of water flow from upstream rivers into a 30-mile long diversion channel on the west side of the Fargo-Moorhead urban area.
The Diversion Authority proposes to construct a high-hazard dam on the Red River. The Red River is bordered by North Dakota and Minnesota. In Minnesota, there is a mandatory EIS for high-hazard dams (MN Rules part 4410.4400, subpart 18). The rule designates the Minnesota DNR as responsible for environmental review of this project.
A public review and comment period begins Monday, Sept. 14, with the publication of the notice of availability in the EQB Monitor. The DNR encourages public comments on the DEIS during the public review period from Sept. 14 to Wed., Oct. 28.
The DNR will hold a public information meeting Wed., Oct. 14, from 5-10 p.m. at the Courtyard Marriott, 1080 28th Ave. S., Moorhead, MN. The meeting includes an open house where attendees can learn more about the project and ask questions. Formal presentations will begin at 7 p.m. followed by a public input session.
A copy of the DEIS is available online at www.mndnr.gov/input. Under “Environmental Review” select “Fargo-Moorhead Flood Risk Management Project” from the scroll-down list. To request a hard copy, call 651-259-5168.
The DEIS is available for public review at:
- DNR Library, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155.
- DNR northwest region, 2220 Bemidji Ave. Bemidji, MN 56601.
- Minneapolis Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis MN 55401, Government Documents, 2nd floor.
- Moorhead Public Library, 118 5th St. S., Moorhead, MN 56560.
- Fergus Falls Public Library, 205 E. Hampden Ave., Fergus Falls, MN 56537.
- Fargo Public Library Downtown, 102 3rd St. North, Fargo, ND 58102.
The DNR must receive comments no later than 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 28. Comments by U.S. mail or other delivery service should be addressed to the following: Jill Townley, Environmental Policy and Review Unit, Box 25, Ecological and Water Resources Division, DNR, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-4025.
Electronic or email comments may be sent to [email protected] with “Fargo-Moorhead Flood Risk Management Project EIS” in the subject line. If submitting comments electronically, include name and mailing address. Fax written comments to 651-296-1811.
For more on the project, go to: www.dnr.state.mn.us/input/environmentalreview/fm_flood_risk/index.html
