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Last modified: Thursday, February 22, 2007 11:27 AM CST
Federal funding not likely this year
By Timothy Holmseth, Daily News
It's been 10 years since the flood of 1997 and a flood protection system for the Twin Towns is still more of an idea on paper than a physical structure.
With a lack of federal funding on the Breckenridge side, frustration is mounting among city officials in both communities. Flood committee members for Breckenridge and Wahpeton met with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wednesday afternoon. "Everybody thinks everything is going fine because no one is telling them different," said flood committee member Blaine Hill, the Breckenridge city clerk-treasurer. Hill said that various press releases are disseminated to the public over the wires that convey a shiny message about how money has been awarded, but that is not always an accurate picture of what's going on. Hill said these news flashes create a false impression because there is a step-by-step process in government and no one committee or politician has the power to make something happen immediately.
With stage 1 of the flood diversion plan completed it is time to move into the next phase, which is being stalled because of a lack of federal funding. Both Minnesota and North Dakota have already earmarked funds to support their portion of the project. "We want to award contracts for stage 2 sometime this year," Hill said. However, because the project is not in the president's budget it cannot receive federal funding. Each time a new budget is constructed by the Office of Management and Budget it is viewed as new project, Hill said, which is simply not the case with flood control here.
Project Manager Terry Williams, Army Corps of Engineers, said, "This is an authorized project that has been funded for construction."
"We want $4 million in the congressional budget for 2008," Hill said.
Williams told the city it cannot begin to advertise or take bids until it is known whether funding is available. "Hopefully Breckenridge will get the $4 million next year," she said.
Brett Lambrecht, Emergency Management director for Richland County, recently spoke with N.D. Go. John Hoeven. Lambrecht said Hoeven is concerned. "The governor has requested a joint meeting," he said. Among those being asked to attend are U.S. Sens. Byron Dorgan and Kent Conrad, and Congressman Earl Pomeroy from North Dakota. Minnesota Congressman Collin Peterson will also want to be there, said Breckenridge Mayor Cliff Barth.
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