The Metro Flood Diversion Authority voted on Sept. 25 to assume responsibility for the design, construction and operation of the Cheyenne River Mitigation Project and approved a $53 million program budget increase and a $1.5 million task order for preliminary engineering and construction support. The board recorded unanimous aye votes on the measures.

John, general counsel for the Diversion Authority, told the board that the mitigation project was contemplated in the project NEPA documents, including the supplemental environmental assessment, and described the work as involving removals, modifications and reestablishment of river features. “The consensus was to have the authority take over this project,” John said, citing closer coordination with local sponsors and anticipated cost efficiencies.

Why it matters: the Cheyenne mitigation is tied to completion of the federal diversion work and to a local–federal Project Partnership Agreement (PPA). Under the PPA, any remaining federal funds after federal construction complete would return to local sponsors, and the authority said local control will allow it to coordinate construction timing and funding. Board materials and comments said the mitigation cannot be completed until the Cheyenne aqueduct and diversion channel are operational to provide protection to West Fargo.

What the board approved: the program budget was increased by $53,000,000 to cover anticipated costs for the Cheyenne mitigation project; the board approved that adjustment by roll-call vote. The board also approved a task order with HMG (Houston Moore Group/HMG scope noted in materials) totaling $1,500,000 for preliminary engineering and construction-support services, split in the proposed schedule as $500,000 in 2025 and $1,000,000 in 2026, to fund borings, geotechnical work, layout and other early engineering.

Scope and timing described to the board: John outlined that the mitigation scope includes renovation or removal of an inlet structure, changes to gated structures where the diversion discharges back to the Cheyenne River, reestablishing an oxbow where the river is currently cutting off, and modifications to a culvert and baffle near Horace, N.D. He said the authority has discussed a memorandum for record with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to let the authority proceed with feasibility and design in anticipation of a formal PPA amendment. The PPA amendment itself requires congressional approval, and the timetable is uncertain given continuing federal funding debates in Congress.

Budget and funding context: Paul Barthol presented related finance details to the board; he and other staff said the authority expects remaining federal funds under the PPA to be applied to the mitigation when available, but the program-budget increase provides local expenditure authority now so staff can move forward with design and early work. The board record shows the finance committee recommended the program-budget action.

Next steps: staff said they will continue coordination with the Corps on the memorandum for record and work toward a formal PPA amendment. The board’s approval authorizes design and planning activities but does not finalize the PPA or require immediate additional cash draws beyond existing budgets until federal and PPA steps are completed.

The board took the votes by roll call. All members present voted yes.