SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 1122
WHEREAS, the United States Army Corps of Engineers is considering six alternatives for managing the Missouri River mainstream reservoir system. Excluding the Current Water Control Plan (CWCP), there are five other plans which would result in the storage of more water in the upstream reservoirs while decreasing the amount of useable water available for downstream designated uses; and
WHEREAS, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service has recommended flow changes below Gavins Point Dam and four of the six plans proposed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers include both an artificial spring rise and a summer low flow component downstream of Gavins Point Dam; and
WHEREAS, these proposed changes in total system storage would restrict the use of water by downstream states and thus be detrimental to the future welfare of Missourians. Substantial flow restrictions would put not only Missouri River navigation at risk but Mississippi River navigation at risk; and
WHEREAS, the Corps of Engineers own analysis shows a net habitat gain of a minimal 37.4 acres below Gavins Point Dam will occur by implementing proposed changes increasing river flows to 20,000 cubic feet per second over CWCP releases and reducing summer flows to 21,000; and
WHEREAS, the Missouri River watershed drains one-sixth of the United States over an eight-state area and the river itself is 2,341 miles long, 37.4 acres of net new habitat compared to this massive land area seems incredibly out of balance considering the risks associated with the proposed changes; and
WHEREAS, spring releases from Gavins Point Dam during May would increase the risk of flooding, cause higher groundwater levels, and impede interior drainage throughout the lower basin; and
WHEREAS, summer low flows of the magnitude that are being proposed, would likely have a severe impact on industries and utilities that depend on the waters of the Missouri River; and
WHEREAS, the State of Missouri believes that the Missouri River must remain a river of many uses maintaining the Congressionally authorized purposes of the River particularly flood control and navigation, and that future management of the River must balance the interests of both the upstream and downstream reaches of the River:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Missouri Senate, Ninety-first General Assembly, Second Regular Session, hereby urge the federal government not to adopt any proposal that would negatively impact beneficial uses of the lower Missouri and Mississippi Rivers; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate be instructed to prepare properly inscribed copies of this resolution for the President of the United States, Vice President of the United States, Secretary of the United States Department of Interior, Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture, Secretary of the United States Department of Transportation, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, and the Chief of Engineers of the United States Army Corps of Engineers.