(Washington, DC)—Congressman Sam Graves applauded the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announcement this week that it will not conduct a man-made spring rise of the Missouri River this month due to expected rainfall.  Last month, Graves and other members of the Missouri delegation asked the Corps to cancel the spring pulses.

 

“This is good news for our families and businesses along the Missouri river,” Graves said. “Many Missouri levees were damaged by floods the last two years and a man-made flood right now makes no sense.”

 

Earlier this year, the Corps released its plan to conduct two spring rises in March and May to support spawning habits of the endangered pallid sturgeon. The policy, which is based on hypothetical data, is designed to help with recovery efforts for the fish. A spring rise is still planned for May, but much like the March rise, it is contingent on water levels in upper basin reservoirs.

 

“I will continue to pressure the Corps to permanently change its spring rise policy,” said Graves. “Any federal policy that favors a fish over an endangered farmer is ridiculous and needs to change.”

 

Graves said that he would ask the Corps to cancel their planned May spring pulse.

 

 

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