FARGO, N.D. (AP) - A water projects bill signed into law by President Barack Obama includes the proposed $2 billion Red River diversion for Fargo-Moorhead.
Obama signed the bill Tuesday during a White House ceremony. Fargo Mayor Dennis Walaker was on hand.
The 36-mile diversion project would move floodwaters through a channel around Fargo and neighboring Moorhead, Minnesota, a metro area that has faced major flooding in the last several years. The Water Resources Reform and Development Act authorizes construction of the project, but Congress must separately pass legislation to pay for it.
Corps of Engineers St. Paul District Commander Col. Dan Koprowski says the diversion is one of the top priorities for the corps' Mississippi Valley Division.