WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Sam Graves today announced that he, and a bipartisan group of ten colleagues from Missouri and Kansas, will serve on a five-state congressional working group that will provide lower basin river communities with a united voice when it comes to management of the Missouri River.

Graves joins Missouri U.S. Reps. Emanuel Cleaver, Jo Ann Emerson, Todd Akin, Lacy Clay, Blaine Luetkemeyer, Russ Carnahan, Vicky Hartzler and Billy Long along with Kansas U.S. Reps. Lynn Jenkins and Kevin Yoder on the panel created by U.S. Rep. Kristi Noem of South Dakota.

"My district has seen first-hand the need for a new plan for the Missouri River," said Graves, whose district is bordered by the river on the West and South sides. "It’s my hope that this working group can put regional interests aside and find common ground. Many of my constituents are suffering through a severe and prolonged flood caused by our current management plan. Their voices must be heard in the discussion of any new plan."

The Missouri and Kansas delegation will work together to make sure that any new plan focuses on flood prevention and work for lower basin communities.

"While Mother Nature and historic snowmelt are undoubtedly at work, the current flooding along the Missouri River Basin is also a direct result of the water management strategies implemented in this region," said Lynn Jenkins, who represents eastern Kansas. "I look forward to working with my colleagues from Kansas and Missouri to speak out about the true impact of these flood waters and the importance of updating our river management strategies to prevent future devastating floods."

The House Missouri River working group will also work with their colleagues to highlight the gross disparity between funding for endangered species and ecosystem restoration, and funding for operations and maintenance of flood control systems. Graves authored and passed an amendment to the Energy and Water Appropriations bill designed to highlight the fact that $73 million is spent on wildlife restoration and only $6 million on operations and maintenance.

# # #