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MO River flood protection bill introduced in U.S. Senate

U.S. Senators from the four lower Missouri River basin states have signed on to a bill aimed at reducing flood risk and improving flood protection along that part of the river.

Missouri Senator Roy Blunt says last year’s flooding from March through August made for an unbelievable year, “We think the Corps can plan better. But we think the Corps needs some direction and some flexibility to be able to plan better and that’s what this legislation would do.”

Blunt says the bill requires the Corps to come up with a project feasibility study and gives it flexibility for any project where the federal share is less than $75-Million dollars to be able to move forward more quickly.

Blunt says it lets the Corps look at the southern Missouri River basin as a unique waterway, “We’re not trying to get into opening the entire plan or needlessly involve our friends north of us on the Missouri River when they don’t need to be involved. Certainly would welcome input from them.”

Blunt says the Corps will have to look at how navigation and flood control can be a bigger priority.

“All of our input from farm families, farm organizations, businesses and communities along the river has been very positive so far and we hope we can continue to move forward in a unified way to get this done.”

Missouri Farm Bureau President Blake Hurst applauds the bill and says it is a huge step forward.