Missouri River boaters - The New Endangered Species

The threatened extinction of two native shore birds and a fish (the piping plover, least tern, and the pallid sturgeon) are literally causing a civil war between the states that share and benefit from the country's longest river.

BIRD NUMBERS REBOUNDING ALONG RIVER

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Two species of endangered or threatened birds have been seen in record numbers along the Missouri River.

About 1,300 adult piping plovers and 735 adult least terns were counted on the river this year, said the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which on Monday began dropping water levels to comply with a judge's order to protect endangered and threatened bird and fish species.

The 1,305 plovers set a fourth consecutive yearly record for the number of birds, the corps said.

The plovers and terns have been raising chicks in record numbers along the river system as well, according to the corps.

The corps' annual monitoring program begins in late April, when piping plovers first arrive from wintering grounds on the Gulf Coast. It ends in late August, when the last least terns depart for Central and South America.

The federal judge ordered water levels dropped to protect three endangered or threatened species - the least tern, piping plover and pallid sturgeon, a fish.

Although the court order only mandated that flows from Gavins Point dam be decreased for a period of just less than three days, it will affect most of us on the lower Missouri River for a period of around 20 days overall. The river is not expected to be back to normal until around September 1st.

1.	Omaha city owned N.P. Dodge Park Marina was reluctantly forced this week to re-install the access channel's protective dirt dam which is used to hold marina water levels sufficient to protect existing dock structures. Parks and Recreation officials are hopeful that the dam can be removed after river levels are once again increased to allow some boating, but much of that decision relies on whether the marina's allotted budget can handle the expense.
2.	The annual 'River Thunder Poker Run', scheduled for Saturday, August 16th at the Dodge Park Marina and pavilion had to be canceled. Instead, this much anticipated annual boater event was reorganized as a 'Boater Dry Dock Party'. The entire event will be held at the park's marina pavilion.
3.	Commercial barge traffic is completely shut down on the river until further notice (probably until September 1st)
4.	Casino river boats from Sioux City to Council Bluffs, IA are not able to meet their obligation for cruising the required amount of hours on the river.
5.	Many communities (including Jefferson City, MO who depend on the river for water to about 38,000 residents) are having to make adjustments as to how they pump water. One of the main problems is that the lower water levels can reduce oxygen levels in the water, which can create a bad taste and odor problems. Certain chemicals such as fertilizers and pesticides can also become more concentrated and become harmful to drinking water.
6.	Owners of any large boats currently in marinas on the lower river are faced with the decision of whether to pull their boat out or risk any damage that might be done to stern drives, shafts, props or hull fittings while their boats sink into in the silt and mud at the bottom of their marina slips.


	View of the emergency earthen dam constructed this week at N P. Dodge Park Marina. The protective dam is usually installed at the end of boating season. (ORF 8/11/03)

So what has this all accomplished? Most of the birds, I fear, have already flown the coop and if they haven't, well it sounds like they aren't really extinct after all according to the corps study. I've never really voiced my opinion about the pallid sturgeon but I finally actually seen one this summer and all I can say is that if they aren't worth eating...well?

I have been a boater on this river almost all my life and I know the boats have been getting larger, faster, and of course, much more expensive. I also know many of the people who own these boats. We work hard for the pleasure of operating them on the most beautiful, unique waterway we have available to us. We're taxed additionally when refueling our boats and watercraft on the river, therefore we deserve to have our voices heard.

It's time for us to be recognized as a viable contributor to the economy. Boat owners who utilize the river and marina operators need to lobby our state's representatives and political leaders in order to educate them of our existence.

Does someone actually think that tourists are going to flock to Omaha's new riverfront to see the the last remaining least tern or piped plover chicks leave the nest? I doubt it!