Sen. Chuck Grassley today urged Iowans to state their points of view during a comment period opened last Thursday by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on management of the Missouri River.
The Corps has released draft recommendations for regulating river flow, reservoir storage, new management efforts, and habitat restoration. The public now has until September 29 to react to the proposals. The draft was prepared by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in consultation the Corps on the Endangered Species Act.
Grassley said it is important for Iowans to weigh in "because the Corps wants to make dramatic changes that would further restrict barge traffic from Sioux City to Missouri and promote a spring flood." He encouraged local organizations and businesses, as well as individual citizens, to participate in the process by sending their views about the proposal.
The proposal can be obtained at www.nwd.usace.army.mil. Comments are being received by post office- and e-mail. The addresses are:
The Corps is required by law to give consideration to the comments it receives from the public. After this step, the Corps has indicated it will develop its new manual for the Missouri River by March 2003.