FRANCAIS

November 15, 2000

FARGO, N.D.--Premier Gary Doer, Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura and North Dakota Gov. Edward Schafer today concluded the final meeting of the International Flood Mitigation Initiative (IFMI) for the Red River Basin by signing a memorandum of understanding for flood mitigation on the river. This accord lays out the framework for the two states and the province to significantly improve cross-border co-operation and strengthen efforts to prevent and reduce flooding in the shared river basin.

The premier and governors agreed to meet annually to review flood mitigation plans and to further improve anti-flood efforts.

"This is an important event for all residents of the Red River Basin, whether they live in North Dakota, Minnesota or Manitoba," said Doer. "Water knows no borders, so it is about time we all recognized this simple fact and joined forces to do our collective best to limit and prevent flood damage by the Red."

Points of principle for co-operation in the framework include:

• participation and input from citizens and local interests;
• participation by governments through review and approval of
  proposals developed by stakeholders with public input;
• participation of those affected by flood mitigation activities and
  decisions;
• emphasis on practical results that can be implemented by the
  respective governments and stakeholders;
• protection of the respective sovereignties of participating
  governments; and
• accountability to citizens and stakeholders of the basin.

"It's appropriate that we enter this new, post-IFMI phase as we see record rainfall and water problems in Southern Manitoba. Though it is premature to speculate on flooding next spring, improved preparations and much higher levels of co-ordinated effort can never come too soon," added Doer. "I am pleased that governors Schafer and Ventura agree that this new era of co-operation is vital for all our citizens."

IFMI was launched in December 1998 following the 1997 spring flood, to address flood damage mitigation concerns in the Red River Basin. It has been sponsored by the Province of Manitoba and the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and is co-ordinated by the Consensus Council, a regional non-profit organization based in Bismarck, N.D.

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