Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2006
Contact: Spence Jackson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Challenges Legality of Manmade Spring Rise on Missouri
JEFFERSON CITY–Gov. Matt Blunt today reiterated his concerns with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 2006 Annual Operating Plan for the Missouri River. The plan includes two manmade spring rises, scheduled in March and May, that could flood Missouri farms and riverside communities.
"I am amazed that the Corps would release such a plan without publicly disclosing the potential impact to Missouri’s citizens," Blunt said. "The Corps admits in its news release that it has not evaluated the potential negative impacts that may result from these man made floods."
Although the planned rises for 2006 are modest compared to potential rises planned for future years, Missouri farmers and riverside communities should prepare for higher water levels on the Missouri River this spring. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources estimates an increase of one foot to two feet during May as a result of the planned spring rise.
"The Corps touts the work of the Missouri River Plenary Group and how input from this group was used in crafting the final plan," Blunt said. "What the Corps fails to mention is that the plenary group recommended that any spring rise should not harm citizens in the Missouri River Basin."
"Common sense tells us that purposely raising water levels during the spring increases the risks to Missouri citizens of flooding. Yet, the Corps has decided to go forward with this ill-advised plan without analyzing the potential impacts," Blunt continued. "This unprecedented action of intentionally flooding the citizens of this country is in direct violation of federal law, which requires the Corps to evaluate and make public all potential impacts prior to taking any major federal action."
The spring rise is an experiment to learn more about the pallid sturgeon, an endangered fish. Blunt pointed out that there are other ways to learn about the pallid sturgeon without increasing the risk of flooding. "Certainly, scientists and policy-makers can come together and find creative solutions to save the pallid sturgeon without endangering the lives and livelihoods of those along the river, both upstream and downstream," he said.
Gov. Blunt has directed his staff to work closely with the Missouri Attorney General’s Office to determine what legal recourse is available to protect the citizens of Missouri.
###