Representative Ike Skelton

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	Contact: Lara Battles or
Wednesday, November 16, 2005	Whitney Frost (202)225-2876

SKELTON ASKS CORPS TO DROP PLAN FOR MISSOURI RIVER SPRING RISE

Washington, DC – Congressman Ike Skelton (D-MO) submitted comments to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regarding the proposed 2006 Annual Operating Plan for the Missouri River.

The Corps’ Annual Operating Plan sets management policies that govern water releases from dams on the Missouri River. In a statement submitted during a public meeting held by the Corps in Jefferson City, Skelton expressed concern about the impact of the proposed Missouri River spring rises on farmers and other river interests.

“Because the river is so vital to the State of Missouri, I always keep a close eye on how the Corps of Engineers plans to manage the river each year. Management must always be done in a way that minimizes risks to Missouri’s farmers and which honors the Corps’ central flood control mission,” wrote Skelton.

“When the Corps released its proposed 2006 operating plan, I was sorely disappointed to see two government sanctioned spring rises included in the proposal. These spring rises are bad for Missouri agriculture and other river interests.”

“I urge the Corps of Engineers to go back to the drawing board with regard to their 2006 Annual Operating Plan and to produce a manual that more fairly addresses Missouri’s interests. Any proposal must omit a spring rise scenario and also ensure that there is sufficient water in summer months so that barge navigation and electricity generation can continue to thrive,” wrote Skelton.

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Attachment: Skelton letter to COL (P) Gregg F. Martin, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is a (pdf) file, requires a Adobe Acrobat Reader.
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Congressman Ike Skelton (D-MO) serves as Ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee. For further information, please contact Lara Battles or Whitney Frost at (202)225-2876, or check Congressman Skelton's web site at http://www.house.gov/skelton.