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Blue Earth County declines to escalate FEMA appeal after Rapidan Dam stabilization denial
Summary
County engineers reported FEMA denied emergency funding to stabilize the west escarpment at Rapidan Dam; commissioners said the likelihood of a successful appeal was low and declined to pursue costly technical and legal appeals, while continuing longer-term design and demolition work with consultants.
Blue Earth County officials told the Board of Commissioners on May 6 that the Federal Emergency Management Agency denied the county’s request for emergency funds to stabilize the west escarpment at Rapidan Dam, and commissioners directed staff not to pursue an extensive appeal.
County project staff and consultants have been studying river hydraulics, bridge-span alternatives and dam removal options after the 2024 incident that damaged the site. Engineers provided a technical memorandum to FEMA asking for emergency slope stabilization funding; FEMA’s response denied the request for immediate stabilization funding and noted that lower-cost measures (for example, fencing) had already been used to address immediate public-safety concerns.
“We requested emergency slope stabilization funding and FEMA has denied the county request…
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