The provision, which is part of the annual spending bill for energy and water projects, ensures that river management changes are not made which would jeopardize barge traffic and allow floods in small communities. The Senate voted 57 to 37 last night in favor of the Energy and Water Appropriations conference report, which also passed the House last week. The bill is now on its way to be signed by the president.
In a letter to the president, Grassley said that increased spring water releases could easily cause the Missouri to flood low-lying areas, including farmland and communities. "Floods would cause a severe economic hardship on those affected," he said. "Farmers would be unable to plant crops, and home and business owners would experience property damage."
President Clinton has threatened a veto because the Senate rejected an amendment that would have eliminated the anti-flooding provision, which has been included in four of the last five energy appropriations bills.
"Increased spring water releases would also cause less water to be released during the summer months," Grassley said. "The lower river levels would halt river barge transportation. Loss of barge traffic would deliver the western part of America's great grain belt into the monopolistic hands of the railroads."