FARGO, N.D. (AP) - Backers of a Red River diversion project around the Fargo-Moorhead area say a Minnesota agency's refusal to issue a permit won't be a factor for many years and construction should go forward on the North Dakota side. Diversion opponents say they might ask a judge to halt the start of construction.
Gerald Von Korff is an attorney for upstream residents who have filed a lawsuit asking for a cheaper project that wouldn't flood farmland. He says the Fargo-Moorhead Diversion Authority should get all necessary permits - including Minnesota's - before starting construction.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources earlier this month rejected a permit for an upstream dam to hold back water. A diversion authority lawyer says the agency "did a complete about-face" after Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton complained.
