Dilworth city leaders want representation for flood diversion decision

Dilworth, Minn. (WDAY TV) - Dilworth city leaders are encouraged, but still say there needs to be more progress to be made. During last week's metropolitan flood management work group meeting, four members from the city council were invited to sit in. Tonight, those four talked about the meeting with the rest of the council.

More on what city leaders say needs to happen next.

Two weeks ago the city drafted a strongly worded letter to the group, saying they want a permanent seat. The group did receive the letter, but as of now, there's still no representation for Dilworth, and that's something leaders say needs to change.

“It’s important to get a representative on there before this decision is made, and to try and deal with it after it's already made is a lot more difficult than being there from the start.”

City leaders say too much is at stake for Dilworth. The proposed Minnesota diversion would nearly cut the city in half, making it almost impossible for future expansion. Leaders say the corps of engineers isn't really thinking things through.

“Its seems as if they're trying to find the most cost effective way, but they're leaving out who could benefit the most from the overall protection. So I think there's a long way to go, and they're maybe trying to rush the process a little bit.”

The levee system is now out of the question, so is the smaller Minnesota diversion, which means the city of Dilworth has a bigger chance of seeing a large diversion goes straight through its middle. Leaders say with a Dilworth voice on the panel; they'd at least have a fighting chance.

“It sounds like they're probably a month away from having numbers that they can make a decision on.”

“We need to be vigilant in our efforts to you know, we're the smallest guy on the block, but that doesn't mean our voice can't be heard.”

City leaders plan to continue going to metropolitan flood management meetings, there's one scheduled this Thursday, and leaders say even if they have to be in the audience, they'll be front and center.

Tags: your city, christina vaughn, flood, dilworth, news