 The Minnesota DNR has granted a permit for an updated plan of a Red River diversion project meant to protect the flood prone Fargo moorhead area. The DNR in October 2016 denied a permit for the original project leading a federal judge to stop construction that had started southwest of Fargo. The new design is meant to reduce impacts to land in Richland County in North Dakota and Minnesota's Wilken County. It takes about 8,000 acres out of the flood plain south of the metro area and sets more water through the cities. The permit includes more than 50 conditions governing the project design construction operation and maintenance. Minnesota recognizes the need for flood risk management in the Fargo moorhead area in a way that is consistent with Minnesota's laws that are sound in protecting the public health safety in the environment. Unfortunately we also recognize that any large flood damage reduction project is going to have some negative impacts on some people and that is certainly true with with this project as well. Diversion officials say the changes to the plan and construction delays have increased costs by 600 million dollars to about 2.75 billion dollars. If you enjoyed this segment of Lakeland news please consider making a tax deductible contribution to Lakeland PBS