FARGO, N.D. — Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton is criticizing a plan to divert Red River flood waters around the Fargo, N.D., and Moorhead area.

Reports said that Dayton is unhappy with a flood control project that would “greatly benefit North Dakota and damage property in Minnesota.” He calls the current plan “unacceptable.”

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is attempting to join a lawsuit by a group of counties and townships south of F-M area opposed to the project. The DNR says the diversion authority is ignoring state rules by starting on a ring dike before an environmental study is completed.

Dayton says if the authority wants a cooperative relationship with the state of Minnesota, it needs to reform its current practices.

A diversion spokesman was not immediately available for comment.