FARGO, N.D. (AP) – North Dakota’s Richland County and\ Minnesota’s Wilkin County are joining forces to formally fight a proposed Red River diversion around Fargo and neighboring Moorhead, Minn.

The Forum reports  that commissioners in the neighboring counties have approved the formation of a joint board that could use public resources and even sue to try to stop the project to provide long-term flood protection to the Fargo metro area.

Officials in the counties upstream of Fargo-Moorhead fear additional flooding there if the nearly $2 billion diversion is built.

Cass County Administrator Keith Berndt says officials are optimistic they’ll find an amicable solution for upstream communities.