FARGO -- The public and area officials will get an update Tuesday and Wednesday on how far the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has come in exploring potential flood solutions for cities in the Red River Valley.
A draft report and possible recommendations to Congress are expected no sooner than late next year, but area officials hope the upcoming meetings will bring good news.
"It's looking positive," said Fargo City Engineer Mark Bittner, referring to indications that a cost-benefit analysis shows that flood protection projects are warranted for the Fargo-Moorhead area.
Preliminary discussion on what might be built is also expected.
"They (corps officials) are going to talk about the realm of possibilities," Bittner said.
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"Is it a dam, a diversion, a series of dikes? Is it buying all the properties along the river, or is it a combination of all of those or something else?" Bittner said.
Moorhead Mayor Mark Voxland is optimistic the numbers will be in the region's favor.
"It looks like there might be a cost-benefit ratio that would create a project. I think that's what we're going to hear," Voxland said.
Both meetings are part of a process required to decide if an environmental impact statement will be needed for future projects.
In addition to sharing information, the corps will ask for public input, something Moorhead City Engineer Bob Zimmerman is keen on hearing.
"The last time the corps had a meeting on this study in Moorhead, there were a lot of questions about the Fargo southside project," Zimmerman said. "I'm curious to see what the general feeling of the public is now."
The proposed Fargo flood control project would protect the city to 4 feet above the 1997 flood crest of 39.57 feet. This spring, the Red River crested at a record 40.82 feet March 28.
Zimmerman said one question he hopes will be answered soon is how far Fargo or Moorhead can go with their own flood control projects and still have the work be a part of any project the corps may undertake.
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Brigadier Gen. Michael Walsh, head of the Mississippi Valley Division of the corps, told local officials in Washington, D.C., earlier this month that the purpose of the report isn't to suggest a plan.
He said the goal is to gauge what could work financially to give local leaders the information they need to decide what options to pursue.
Walsh said the study has estimated the cost of various methods such as dams, levees and retention areas. Cost-benefit ratios are also figured for each flood control measure, he said.
The analysis will consider both the economic and environmental factors.
Estimates will be figured both with and without the Fargo southside flood project, according to Walsh.
If agreement can be reached in quick fashion, a final corps report focusing on whatever options are backed by local officials could be ready by December 2010, Walsh said.
If you go
What: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers flood protection meetings
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First meeting: Tuesday in Fargo's Centennial Hall at the Civic Memorial Auditorium
Second meeting: Wednesday in Hansen Theatre at Minnesota State University Moorhead
Details: Both meetings start with an open house at 5:30 p.m., followed by 7 presentation and Q-and-A session
The Forum and the Herald are Forum Communications newspapers.
