WASHINGTON, D.C.– Senator Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) and Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins (R-Kan.) introduced a bill today that would require the Army Corps of Engineers to take into account all precipitation data from this year’s record levels in making any future plans to help reduce the risk of future flood events. 

“After witnessing the wrath of the Missouri River from a helicopter’s perspective, and then visiting with Kansans in Elwood and Atchison, it became extremely clear that the Army Corps of Engineers must incorporate all hydrologic data into how they manage the Missouri River basin operations,” said Roberts. “I will continue to push for Congressional oversight of the Missouri River flooding and believe the members of the Missouri River Working Group will find common ground ensuring flood control is priority number one for the Army Corps of Engineers.”

“While heavy rains 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,” Jenkins said. “Preventing these devastating floods that place people, property and businesses at risk should be the highest priority in our river management strategies. The best way to ensure this is to consider and study all the available factors that lead to flooding, not simply one segment of data. I am proud to introduce this common sense legislation with Senator Roberts and look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues from the Missouri River Basin to prevent future flood events.”

The bill would require the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, to take into account all hydrologic data in conducting Missouri River basin operations. Such data would include rainfall, as well as snowpack from the mountains and the plains, and must be included in any and all plans involved with managing the Missouri River. This data should help limit the risk of future flood events, like the one that is currently taking place.

This year, high levels of precipitation resulted in record amounts of discharge from the six mainstem Missouri River reservoirs, including Gavins Point, which has caused severe flooding, and has impacted Kansans living along the river.

Sen. Roberts toured the Missouri River flood areas earlier this month with Kansas Governor Sam Brownback in Doniphan and Atchison Counties to see how our local emergency responders are handling the flooding. Roberts also met this past week with members of the Missouri River Working Group to focus on how the flooding Missouri River should be managed, with flood control being the top priority.

The Missouri River Working Group is comprised of members of Congress from the states where the Missouri River runs, including Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana.

Congresswoman Jenkins, also a Member of the Missouri River Working Group, recently toured Atchison and Doniphan County locations along the Missouri River with Congressman Sam Graves (R-Mo.).  The Congresswoman also hosted a telephone town hall with Governor Brownback for the citizens of Atchison, Doniphan and Leavenworth Counties to answer any questions they had about the ongoing flood event.  Kansas Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger, Kansas Adjutant General Lee Tafanelli and representatives from the Army Corps of Engineers, FEMA, various state agencies and other local officials also took part in the call.

Sen. Mike Johanns (R-Neb.) is co-sponsoring the bill in the Senate.