News Releases for November 2003
November 18, 2003
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Hoeven: U.S. Army Corps' Proposed Drought Conservation Measures Don't Go Far Enough
BISMARCK, N.D. - Gov. John Hoeven today said a new Army Corps of Engineers proposal for drought conservation on the Missouri River doesn’t go far enough to protect upper basin environmental and commercial interests.
“For the first time, the Corps’ proposal includes drought conservation measures, but they just don’t go far enough in the near term,” Hoeven said. “They would have been more beneficial for both the environment and the recreation industry three years ago, when the reservoirs were higher and we had more water in the lakes to conserve.”
Hoeven said the plan must incorporate additional conservation measures and further shorten the navigation season to address fully the environmental and commercial concerns of the upper basin states.
“Given the current low water levels above the dams, the Corps needs to implement effective ways to recharge the reservoirs,” Hoeven said. “They need to bring Lakes Sakakawea and Oahe up to healthy levels -- and maintain them there. We will continue to work with Brigadier General Grisoli and the other basin states to address this and other issues essential to building a lasting and effective plan for the Missouri.”
Historically, the Corps has managed the flow of the Missouri River to accommodate the downstream barge industry at the expense of upper basin tourism, recreational and environmental interests, according to Hoeven. The recreation industry in the upper basin accounts for about $85 million in annual economic activity, whereas the barge industry accounts for just $7 million.
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