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Diversion Group Tries To Calm Waters With Letter

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — Opponents of a nearly $2 billion Red River flood control project that would mostly benefit North Dakota's largest city, Fargo, have enlisted the support of two powerful allies.

Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton and state Rep. Paul Marquart have thrown their lot in with upstream residents who are unhappy with plans for a holding area that would flood farmland and buildings in times of high water.

The two men criticized the project after the Fargo-Moorhead Diversion Authority opted to start construction on a ring dike around towns in the holding area without waiting for an environmental study to be completed.

Authority chairman Darrel Vanyo has sent a letter to Dayton offering to limit construction on the ring dike and delay construction on the diversion channel until the environmental review is done.

(© Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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