FARGO (KFGO) - The timetable for a solution is tight and the issues extremely complex, but North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum is optimistic a compromise will be found for the stalled F-M Diversion Project.
Burgum says the 16 member task force working on the issue has agreed on a 100 year base line for certified flood protection for Fargo-Moorhead that FEMA says is acceptable and would not require property owners to purchase flood insurance. During last week's second meeting, the task force also agreed to put a federal lawsuit against the $2.2. billion project on hold while the group works on solutions.
Several major issues remain; solving upstream and downstream opposition, getting the necessary permit from Minnesota and meeting requirements to maintain federal authorization for the Diversion channel and dam along the Red River.
Burgum and Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton have set a Dec. 15th deadline for the task force to come up with recommendations to resolve the differences.