News Releases for February 2004
February 27, 2004
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Statement Of Gov. John Hoeven On Release Of The Draft Revised Missouri River Master Manual
BISMARCK, N.D. - Gov. John Hoeven today issued the following statement in response to the Army Corps of Engineers’ release of its revised draft Missouri River Master Manual and final Environmental Impact Statement.
“All along we have said the Corps needs to implement more drought conservation measures, and some are included in the new draft manual. The Corps will shorten the navigation season by thirty days and implement minimum service flows.
“But the plan just doesn’t go far enough. The Corps could have implemented a management proposal agreed to by seven of the eight Missouri River basin states, but didn’t. Instead, four years into a drought, the Corps is putting forward new rules that include some drought conservation but not enough. The new dry season water management measures will help, but they are not sufficient with the low levels we have on Lakes Sakakawea and Oahe.
“We intend to continue to pursue every means available for increasing drought conservation, and for raising and stabilizing lake levels in the upper basin. That includes continuing our litigation, as well as calling on the Administration and Congress to provide better drought conservation measures to protect our municipal water supplies, fisheries and recreation industry.”
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