Contact: Ernie Blazar 202.224.7627 Shana Stribling 202.224.0309
Saturday, February 9, 2002

COLUMBIA, MO – Senator Kit Bond today addressed the Missouri Levee and Drainage District Association in Columbia to discuss their efforts to protect the Missouri River.

“I believe that government should protect people from flooding, not cause floods. It should produce more efficient transportation options, not railroad monopolies, and it should encourage power production, not discourage it,” said Bond, a vocal opponent of the Fish and Wild Life Service’s risky plan for the Missouri river.

Praising the group for their tenacity, Bond noted that the association was originally set up as a temporary organization. Organized to rebuild after the 1993 flood, members of the association have now fought for years to protect the river.

“The Fish and Wildlife Service plan fails because the plan’s value to fish habitat is dubious while its risk to people is very real,” said Bond, echoing the theme for the evening’s meeting.

Bond also addressed the recent report issued by the Academy that concluded, “the most significant scientific unknowns in the Missouri River ecosystem are how the ecosystem will respond to management action designed to improve ecological conditions.”

After the Academy’s conclusions became public, Bond and other Missouri River proponents pointed out that the Academy’s report demonstrates the Fish and Wildlife Service is without sufficient scientific, economic or political foundation for their proposal.

Ending on a positive note, Bond reminded the Missouri Levee and Drainage District Association he believes the Administration will fairly review all the options for the Missouri River, “I know they are listening to our side, which is the first time in eight years that has happened,” said Bond. “I believe that they will find a solution that helps fish and birds but that does not harm people. We need to stand by them and keep pushing.”