ST. PAUL, MN – The bonding bill that was approved by the Legislature and signed into law by the Governor includes funding for two flood hazard mitigation projects within District 12A: the Toelle Coulee Project in Browns Valley and the Whetstone River Restoration Project in Ortonville. Rep. Jeff Backer (R-Browns Valley) secured the dollars necessary to fund these projects, both of which were initiated due to ongoing flood damage in Browns Valley and Ortonville.
“It was essential to get dedicated state funding in order to complete these projects,” said Backer. “I would like to thank those from Browns Valley and Ortonville who worked closely with me to advocate on the importance of funding both projects to my colleagues in St. Paul.”
The objective of the Whetstone River Restoration Project is to reduce flood damage to Ortonville by restoring perennial flow to over 7,000 feet of open channel and increasing flood plain storage. The goal of the Toelle Coulee Restoration Project is to help shield Browns Valley from future flooding by creating an additional land buffer surrounding the city as a form of protection, while also helping to take the community out of the flood plain.
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