Senators John Hoeven, Amy Klobuchar, Kevin Cramer and Tina Smith Monday urged Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Acting Director Shalanda Young to:
- Support $180 million in funding for permanent flood protection in the Red River Valley in the Army Corp of Engineer's Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 work plan.
- Include the project in the president's FY2023 budget request.
The senators highlighted that the project is at a critical stage and stressed the need to keep the construction of the Red River Control Structure on schedule. A delay in this key feature would push back the project's completion date while opening up the region to additional annual spring flooding seasons. Inclusion in the president's budget would provide certainty to the project developers and help ensure the Army Corps continues to fulfill its funding commitment to the project. The project has received $310 million in federal construction funding to date.
"The Fargo-Moorhead flood diversion project not only provides critical protection for local residents, it also serves as an example of an alternative approach to project financing that can accelerate the speed and lower the cost of a wide array of water infrastructure projects nationwide," said the senators. "The Fargo-Moorhead region has a clear need for permanent flood protection. The Red River of the North exceeded flood stage 55 times between 1902 and 2019, with seven of the top 10 floods occurring during the last 30 years. Completion of this project means permanent protection of lives and property and the end of constructing temporary protective measures every time the river rises."
Categories: Minnesota, General