The Daily Dispatch

Nineteen Breckenridge and Wilkin County officials warmly welcomed Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., Friday to update and inform him on rural flood concerns that annually plague the area. The meeting, which was not open to the public, was part of the new senator's several-city tour around the state before his recess ends.

Water retention conflicts, delayed funding and tough-to-get state and federal approval has created some frustration among local officials, who say they have to navigate carefully around each issue. But while several regional boards meet to tackle these problems, most notably the Red River Basin Commission, they have little clout in Washington, officials say.

"Is there any thought of appointing a flood czar?" joked the former comedian. "What I'm hearing is it's... an incredibly sort of complex and difficult, almost Byzantine apparatus to navigate."

Wilkin County Commission Chairman Lyle Hovland said that part of the problem is that each entity has to study the issue.

"It takes years and years to come to any comprehensive agreement," he said.

Breckenridge Mayor Cliff Barth said water retention is the only answer for the county. Levees and diversions offer limited protection for the area because the Red River can only handle so much water, he said.

"All of our county land out here - this past year and other years - has been flooded, even during the summer," he said. "It just flows and runs over the roads, and the county has spent tons of money on road repairs for years now."

But as farmers depend on the right timing of water events, some have opposed the idea of water retention. Due to the flat nature of local land, much of that would have to be taken out of production, said Wilkin County Commissioner John Blaufuss.

"The farmers wouldn't be happy about that right now," he said.

The group suggested some possible agreement between agencies like the Federal Emergency Management Agency that could work together on behalf of both Minnesota and North Dakota.

Franken said he would confer with Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-ND, and others to help further influence the importance of flood protection.

"As you know, we have tremendous budget problems and there are all kinds of different priorities," he said.

Although the meeting was mostly serious in nature, Franken, who sat at the table with local officials, punctuated the talk with humor. Referring to his junior status on the Senate, he said his five-week experience so far has thrust him to the "100" spot.

"I don't know if you're aware of this, but I didn't get seated immediately," he deadpanned.

Afterward, Barth spoke on behalf of the whole group when saying they appreciated the visit, a first for Franken.

"He's got a lot to learn about our valley," said Barth. "It was a good opportunity to have him look at our city to see what we're doing to protect it and why."

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