The Missouri River Basin Association (MRBA) is a coalition of the Missouri River basin's states and Indian tribes. The organization has a nine-member board comprised of one representative of the basin's Indian tribes and one Governor-appointed representative from each of eight Missouri basin states (Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming). I serve as the Director of the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, and as Montana's representative to MRBA. The association coordinates planning activities for the Missouri River among the basin's states, federal agencies, and Indian tribes.
Five years ago, the Corps of Engineers asked MRBA to develop recommendations on a river operating plan that would be acceptable to the basin's states and tribes. MRBA spent several years working with marina operators, farmers, navigators, and representatives of water supply interests to develop recommendations to improve the overall economic and environmental conditions of the Missouri River basin. Two years ago, MRBA completed this task with the publication of its "Missouri River Planning Recommendations" document. A fish hatchery to be built at Fort Peck was one such recommendation. Constituents throughout the basin support the recommendations included in that document. During the past two years, MRBA has worked with water users and interests to address the more difficult issues of drought flow management and recovery of the basin's threatened and endangered bird and fish species.
The entire basin supports the fish hatchery at Fort Peck Reservoir for a variety of reasons:
-- MRBA and its constituents support the development of recreational resources throughout the basin. The fish hatchery would help turn Fort Peck Reservoir into a world class fishery.
-- The fish hatchery would be good for the economy of the state and region. Improvements to the Fort Peck fishery will help draw fishermen and recreationists from around the country.
-- The fish hatchery would provide mitigation for the on-going impacts to the Fort Peck fishery from the river system operations and water releases for downstream uses.
-- The warm water fishery can produce pallid sturgeon, a federally listed species. The sturgeon fry can be used to stock the waters of the Yellowstone River and the Missouri River below Fort Peck, its traditional habitat.
In summary, the fish hatchery at Fort Peck Reservoir makes good economic and environmental sense. Fort Peck Reservoir has incredible fisheries potential for multiple species if appropriate stocking rates can be implemented. Now is the time to invest in such projects because the upcoming commemorations of the Lewis and Clark journey up the Missouri River will bring tens of thousands of people to this region. This fish hatchery can enhance the reservoir attraction, restore an endangered species, and provide for economic growth. For all these reasons I urge your support of S. 2027.