ST. PAUL, MINN. (KFGO) - Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton has blasted the new commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for comments he made promoting the planned F-M Diversion project.
Lt. General Todd Semonite met with local leaders and inspected flood diversion construction sites during a two day visit to Fargo last month.
Dayton, in a letter obtained by KFGO News, which was sent to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget and the Assistant Secretary of the Corps of Engineers, said he was "dismayed" and "deeply disappointed" the Corps is proceeding with the $2.2 billion project without any regard to unresolved issues Minnesota has identified.
Referring to a five-minute video Semonite made during his Fargo visit, Dayton said the general didn't acknowledge permiting questions Minnesota has while he "sung the praises of the amazing project." Dayton said that a favorable permit decision by Minnesota "is by no means guaranteed" and to suggest otherwise clouds an already complicated process and creates significant stress for upstream residents who oppose the project. Dayton was also miffed Semonite didn't meet with Minnesota to learn more about state concerns during his visit. Minnesota Congressman Collin Peterson did meet with the general to pass along word that Dayton doesn't want work to begin until the permitting process is completed and that is not expected to happen for months. The Corps wants to start work this fall.
Fargo Mayor Tim Mahoney,a member of the Diversion Authority Board, said Semonite's visit and closed door meetings were productive and that all agree they need to find common ground on the project and address Minnesota's concerns.