Sens. Klobuchar, Franken, and Rep. Peterson: Army Corps to Fund Completion of Roseau Flood Project This Year
Press Release
U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Al Franken (D-Minn.), and Rep. Collin Peterson (D-Minn.), said today that the Army Corps of Engineers plans to fund the completion of the Roseau flood control project in 2014, a long-awaited action that will help prevent a repeat of the devastating flood that destroyed homes, businesses, and public structures across the city in 2002.
"Today's announcement is excellent news for Roseau, which will finally be able to complete this long-awaited project," said Sen. Klobuchar. "The local community never gave up and worked hard with us to fight for this project and ensure permanent flood protection for residents and businesses in Roseau and the surrounding region. "
"I'm thrilled that the Roseau flood control project will be funded to completion this year. I've been fighting for this project since I came to the Senate, and I'm so glad that this community will finally receive the flood protection that it needs," said Sen. Franken. "I also want to congratulate Mayor Jeff Pelowski, the Roseau City Council, and city officials, who for 12 years have led the effort to ensure that the community is protected from the type of flood that devastated it in 2002."
"While this project has moved too slowly in the past, I'm very pleased with the news of its inclusion in the Corps work plan so they can move forward with the final phases of construction and finally get this done," said Rep. Peterson. "Without a doubt, the hard work and persistence of Mayor Jeff Pelowski and Community Development Director Todd Peterson has been the key to getting this important project done."
In January, Sens. Klobuchar, Franken, and Rep. Peterson sent a letter to the Director of Civil Works at the Army Corps of Engineers, urging him to fund the project this year. The lawmakers said that city officials in Roseau have worked tirelessly to complete the project by marshaling state, federal, and local resources to ensure necessary flood protections for the city and its residents.
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