FARGO (KFGO-AM) -- Reacting to pressure from Minnesota officials, the F-M Diversion Authority has unanimously approved a plan to lower the Oxbow, Hickson, Bakke levee. The plan to lower the ring dike around the three communities south of Fargo from a 500 year to a 100 year flood protection level would not violate Minnesota law.
The two Minnesota members on the Authority, Moorhead City Council member Nancy Otto and Clay County Commissioner Kevin Campbell made the motion to lower the dikes.
The issue of adding more Minnesota representation to the Diversion Authority remains unresolved. Governor Dayton and four Minnesota legislators recently said there needed to be equal representation on the board. The Diversion Authority recommended one additional seat. Chairman Darrell Vanyo said a letter from an attorney representing upstream opponents said adding one person doesn't resolve the controversy.