August 5, 2005

Missouri river Spring Rise proposal generates concern
 
By NANCY NEUROHR

eetings have been held along the Missouri River Basin over the past few months to discuss how the U.S. Corps of Engineers will handle what is known as the 'spring rise'. The corps is required to implement this plan next year in order to comply with the Endangered Species Act and attempt to preserve the near extinct pallid sturgeon.

The most recent meeting was held last week in Omaha at the National Park Service's regional headquarters on the banks of the Missouri River. More than 200 people attended this meeting, most of them from the state of Missouri. Missourians, who have the most bottomland at stake, believe the plan will put them at risk of flooding and cause them hardship.

Comments were addressed to the Missouri River Spring Rise Plenary Group that is made up of representatives of federal, tribal, state and municipal governments and interest groups from the Missouri River Basin. Members of this group must reach a consensus on how the plan should be implemented, conditions permitting, and present their recommendation to the corps

The focus is on how long river levels will stay up, how much water will be released and what adjustments should be considered to account for drought or heavy rains.

One proposal the group is considering calls for two short spikes in the river levels, one in March and the other in May. A recommendation from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service calls for two longer increases. 

Although most of the people who attended last weeks meeting were opposed to any rise in river levels, they preferred the two shorter periods.

The group was given an August 1st deadline to present their recommendation but were unable to reach a compromise. The toughest issue seems to be what to do during years of drought and heavy rain. They will reconvene on August 19th and hope to reach a decision at that time.

If they cannot reach a consensus then, the corps will be forced into implementing the Fish and Wildlife plan.

To read more about the proposals or to offer input, please go to: MissouriRiver.ecr.gov