Peterson revises hopes for Red River flood fight cash
U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson is scaling back his planned effort to secure $500 million in the 2012 federal farm bill for water retention projects in the Red River Valley, given the current federal spending constraints.
The Minnesota Democrat tells The Forum newspaper that he's now hoping to get at least $300 million to boost regional flood mitigation. Peterson is the senior Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee.
The water retention projects Peterson envisions would be separate from a proposed Red River diversion project in the Fargo-Moorhead area. Peterson believes both are needed for permanent flood protection for the valley.
Red River Basin Commission Chairman John Evert says Peterson's revised position is disappointing but not unexpected given the looming federal budget cuts.
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Information from: The Forum
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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