U.S. Rep. Peterson has his own flood protection plan

Rep. Collin Peterson
U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson talks with constituents.
MPR File Photo/Mark Zdechlik

Three members of Congress will meet this morning with the Army Corps of Engineers and local officials from Fargo-Moorhead to discuss how to protect the cities from future flooding.

Towns downstream of Fargo-Moorhead worry a proposed 36-mile flood diversion channel will actually worsen flooding for them, and the Corps is considering whether to delay the decade-long project to weigh those concerns. But that could throw funding for the $1.5 billion endeavor into question.

In an interview before today's meeting, U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson, who represents the area in Congress, said he plans push forward with his proposal to build "water retention" areas upstream of Fargo-Moorhead.

Peterson told MPR's Cathy Wurzer he will put the project in the next federal farm bill "whether the diversion goes forward or not."

"It needs to be done," Peterson said.

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.