Fed gov buys more floodplain easements in ND

The federal government on Wednesday said it was using $5 million in federal stimulus money to buy more easements on agricultural land along the Red River that is prone to flooding.

The 17 floodplain protection easements cover more than 2,100 acres in northeast North Dakota's Pembina, Walsh and Traill counties.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a statement that the easements will decrease the threat of floods, help the environment and promote job creation.

The Agriculture Department's Natural Resources Conservation Service and landowners will partner on projects to prevent soil erosion and to stop debris from clogging waterways. Wetland areas will be restored with native plants that will slow the flow of floodwaters.

The projects will join 28 other Red River floodplain easement projects in North Dakota and Minnesota.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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