he Army Corps of Engineers announced this week they have released their Final Environmental Impact Statement for the operation of the Missouri River dams and reservoirs. A Draft Revised Master Water Control Manual and the Draft Final 2004 Annual Operating Plan are also now available for public viewing.

The new plan calls for keeping more water in the upstream reservoirs during the years of drought, satisfying concerns made by South Dakota, North Dakota and Montana. Law suits filed against

	The sleuces at Gavins Point Dam near Yankton South Dakota will soon increase spring flows.

the Corps of Engineers in recent years by these states sought to protect the fishing and water recreation industries that exist around the reservoirs. Water levels in these locations are at an all-time low and current drought conditions do not offer much hope that things will change without  assistance from the corps.

The corps is also setting into motion a very ambitious plan to create 1,200 new acres of shallow water habitat by July 1st of this year in order to aid in the reproduction of the endangered pallid sturgeon. If they are unable to meet this goal, they will be forced into cutting dam release levels during the month of July from the minimum navigation level of 30,000 cfs to 25,000 cfs, most likely shutting down barge navigation on the river during this time period. Marinas along the river should still be able to operate at this level, however, this could have an impact on other economic interests.

The corps is requesting $22 to $23 million from the government this year in order to fund the creation of the shallow water habitat and other projects such as improving the sandbar habitat for the piping plover, improvements to fish hatcheries and additional research of the pallid sturgeon

	Fred Bonacci caught and released this Pallid Sturgeon last year on the Missouri River near Tekamah, NE near MM654.

needs. The Bush administration is requesting $69 million from congress in 2005 for Missouri habitat restoration. An estimated 1.3 billion will be needed over the next 30 years in order to encompass the entire plan which includes acquiring multiple acres for shallow river fish and bird habitat.

Environmentalist groups are not satisfied with the new plan to create mechanical habitat along the river. For years, they have been calling for a more natural river flow and have stated their support for the spring rise and low summer water levels. The corps has said they will continue to study this theory over the next two years and if implemented, will add an amendment to the master manual at that time. Environmental groups such as American Rivers are already looking at returning to court on this issue.

"We believe the preferred alternative in this Final Environmental Impact Statement and water control plan in the revised Master Manual is the best balance for serving the multiple purposes of the reservoir system as authorized by Congress, meets the Corps' trust and treaty obligations to federally recognized tribes, and complies with the environmental laws, including the National Environmental Policy Act and Endangered Species Act," said Brig. Gen. William Grisoli, Northwestern Division Engineer.

	Lake Oahe (Shown here in summer of 2003) and other Missouri River northern main stem reservoirs set record low water levels.

"The release of these documents today brings us one step closer to completion of a long-range program for the operation of the Missouri River," said General Grisoli.

"We must maintain our flexibility to meet all of the congressionally authorized purposes while complying with the Endangered Species Act".

"Our immediate goal is to work with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to develop the amount of habitat that will allow this year's operation for minimum navigation service and provide for other uses such as water supply, water quality and recreation, he added."

"In addition, this basin has been subjected to two serious droughts since 1967. In our revised plans, we are recommending conservation measures to better save water earlier in a drought; resulting in reduced impacts to the public".

"The Corps of Engineers is committed to improving the survival of the species, providing predictability to the basin, and lessening the impact of severe drought by retaining more water in the reservoirs."

To comply with the court order, the public comment period on the Final Environmental Impact Statement is reduced to 14 days, from March 5 to March 19. Comments will be accepted in writing and via e-mail. Send written comments to: Master Manual Project Manager, 12565 West Center Road, Omaha, NE 68144. Send e-mail comments to: mastermanual@usace.army.mil.

The FEIS, summary and comments and responses on the draft EIS are available on the Northwestern Division website at: www.nwd.usace.army.mil  Also available are the draft Revised Master Manual and the draft of the Final 2004 Annual Operating Plan based on the new Master Manual as well as the link to make comments on the FEIS.