Property Rights Acquisition and Mitigation (PRAM)

The Property Rights Acquisition Plan, or PRAM, outlines the MFDA’s land management programs and plans. The MFDA remains committed to not only following federal and state laws but also U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ requirements and settlement agreement provisions. The plan describes the additional mitigation programs the MFDA developed to further assist impacted property owners. Download the complete PRAM.

Property Rights Acquisition and Mitigation Plan V5

Property Rights Acquisition and Mitigation Plan V4

Post-Operation Cleanup Programs

The MFDA acknowledges that the project operation may cause non-structural damage and potentially the accumulation of debris in the upstream mitigation area. As a result, the MFDA will implement the Post-Operation Public Lands Repair and Cleanup Plan and the Debris Removal and Property Damage Restoration and Cleanup Plan.

The MFDA will post these plans once they are finalized.

Find more information on the post-operation cleanup in the PRAM.

Excess Lands Policy

The MFDA adopted a policy on the Disposition and Management of Comprehensive Project Lands in March 2021. Land that is no longer needed or not expected to be needed for the project and declared “excess land” by the MFDA executive director may be made available for sale, lease, or exchange in accordance with this policy.

Find the full policy here.

Crop Insurance Programs

The MFDA is committed to easing burdens on landowners and agricultural producers in the upstream mitigation area. While all existing farmland in the UMA will remain arable and eligible for federal crop insurance upon completion of the project, the MFDA has committed to providing two supplemental crop insurance programs to offer further protection.

  1. Prevent-Plant Crop Insurance Program

This supplemental policy will apply if, due to operation of the project, producers are unable to plant crops on property within the UMA by the established late-planting dates set by federal crop insurance. The program will reimburse at the same coverage level that producers purchased through federal crop insurance and will be provided at no cost to producers.

  1. Growing Season Supplemental Crop Loss Program

In the unlikely event of a summer flood requiring project operations, this program will cover 100 percent of resulting crop loss during the growing season for producers in the UMA, no matter the year or crop type. For currently established organic farmland, the program also will compensate for all crop loss if project operation causes contamination that prevents farmland from qualifying for certified organic designations.

Find supporting documents on crop insurance programs:

Cemetery Protection Plan

The Cemetery Protection Plan identifies potential impacts and mitigation measures for cemeteries within the upstream mitigation area and with viewshed impacts as a result of the project.

The MFDA acknowledges there is no one-size-fits-all approach to cemetery mitigation as each site is unique. In addition, the information and feasible options for each site may also vary, and the MFDA will respect each when formulating what works best for each cemetery.

Download and view the Cemetery Protection Plan to learn more.

Alternative Dispute Resolution Board

On August 26, 2021, the MFDA adopted a “Resolution Establishing the Alternative Dispute Resolution Board.” The Alternative Dispute Resolution Board was created as an independent board to hear claims by persons against the MFDA alleging their real or personal property was physically damaged by operation of the comprehensive project. The Alternative Dispute Resolution Board is not intended to be the sole remedy for disputes, and persons claiming to be affected by operation of the comprehensive project may use other remedies, if available. The Alternative Dispute Resolution Board is not intended to address claims relating to alleged negligence of the MFDA, its contractors, agents, officers, employees or designees

For more information, refer to the Resolution Establishing the Alternative Dispute Resolution Board.

Rural Impact Mitigation Program (Farmstead Re-Establishment Program)

The project will impact roughly two dozen existing farmsteads and rural businesses. In recognition of their regional importance, the MFDA established the Rural Impact Mitigation Program (RIMP) to provide financial assistance to help with relocation and re-establishment of displaced farmsteads and rural businesses.

The RIMP establishes the protocols and financial allowances to help relocate and re-establish farmsteads, businesses and nonprofit organizations that are displaced because of the project when Uniform Relocation Act (URA) payments are not sufficient to do so.

Find more details on the RIMP in the PRAM.

Relocation Benefits

Property required for the project will be acquired in compliance with federal and state statutes, regulations and constitutional requirements.

In addition, the MFDA is committed to acquiring property in accordance with the permits issued by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the North Dakota Department of Water Resources. The Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970, as amended (PL-91-646), serves as the basis for establishing the minimum standards for property acquisitions and relocation.

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