“I was disappointed when I learned today that the Corps of Engineers intends to implement two spring rises on the Missouri River in 2006. Although the Corps has done its best to mitigate our concerns by limiting the spring pulses to two days in March and in May, I am still worried about the impact this river management plan will have on Missouri agriculture.

I have testified against the spring rise, primarily because of the damage that intentional flooding would do to farmers who work along the river. My concerns have multiplied since the U.S. Department of Agriculture determined that farmers who experience crop damage as a result of intentional flooding by the federal government would not be eligible to make crop insurance claims. While I would have preferred to avoid this situation by eliminating the spring rise from the Corps’ Annual Operating Plan, I will continue to seek ways to protect Missouri farmers from the ill effects of this policy.”

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