News Releases for June 2002
June 18, 2002
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Hoeven Seeks Interior Secretary Norton's Help On Missouri River Management Plan
BISMARCK, N.D. - Governor John Hoeven today met in Bismarck with Interior Secretary Gail Norton to discuss the Army Corps of Engineers’ Missouri River management plan. Hoeven provided the secretary with environmental and economic background on the river’s management, and documentation in support of a revised Missouri River Master Manual, which governs management of the river.
The U.S. Department of the Interior administers the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the agency responsible for enforcing the Endangered Species Act. The Service has already issued a biological opinion on the Corps’ current management plan and found that additional adjustments to the flows of the river would be necessary to avoid jeopardizing the river basin’s populations of least tern, piping plovers and pallid sturgeon.
Norton agreed to personally review the issue and requested that the Governor’s office work directly with Fish and Wildlife Service Director Steve Williams, who formerly worked with UND. Norton said she will call Hoeven to consult further after she has reviewed the case.
“The Corps needs to move forward, and we’re seeking any and all allies to make that happen,” Hoeven said.
Seven of the eight Upper Missouri River Basin states support a change in the Master Manual. The Corps had said it would release a preferred alternative to the original plan by the end of May, but last week announced it would postpone releasing the revision indefinitely.
Historically, the Corps has managed the flow of the Missouri to accommodate the downstream barge industry at the expense of upstream tourism, recreational and environmental interests. The new preferred alternative would have retained water in the upper basin through the dry season, mitigating drought conditions, accommodating the recreation industry and enhancing habitat for wildlife. The recreation industry accounts for about $90 million in annual economic activity, whereas the barge industry accounts for just $7 million.
“The science is pretty clear,” Hoeven said. “A change in the manual is necessary if we want to protect our valuable wildlife resources. The Department of the Interior and the Upper Basin states have common interests on this issue.”
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