Corps of Engineers to Hold Public Meetings on Missouri River Plan, NCGA Notes(10-6-06)

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) encourages its members with an interest in Missouri River basin issues to attend any of the six upcoming public meetings on the Army Corps of Engineers draft 2006-2007 Annual Operating Plan for the river.

The public meeting schedule is:

Oct. 10: Omaha, Neb., 5 p.m., Northwestern Division HQ, 12565 West Center Rd.
Oct. 11: St. Louis, 11 a.m., Crowne Plaza-St. Louis Airport, 11228 Lone Eagle Dr  
Oct. 11: Kansas City, Mo., 7 p.m. Hilton Kansas City Airport, 8801 NW 112th St.
Oct. 12: Fort Peck, Mont., 11 a.m., Interpretative Center, Lower Yellowstone Rd.
Oct. 12: Bismarck, N.D., 7 p.m., Doublewood Inn, 1400 E. Interchange Ave.
Oct. 13: Pierre, S.D., 11 a.m., Kings Inn Hotel, 110 E. Sioux Ave.

“It is very important for NCGA to be represented at these meetings,” said Bill Chase, chairman of NCGA’s Production and Stewardship Action Team. “If growers have something to say, I urge them to go to the meeting.”

The meetings will open with presentations on this year’s runoff, reservoir storage, and the management of the six dams and reservoirs.  These will be followed by descriptions of the regulation for the remainder of 2006 and the year 2007 for flood control, hydropower, navigation, irrigation, recreation, water supply, water quality, fish and wildlife and endangered species for a wide variety of runoff and storage conditions.

The Corps of Engineers is accepting comments on the draft plan during the meetings and in writing through November 20. NCGA will submit comments on behalf of its members.

The draft 2006-2007 Annual Operating Plan with a detailed description of the spring pulses and 2007 operations is now available. It is posted on the Northwestern Division Web site:  www.nwd-mr.usace.army.mil/rcc/aop.html.  It is also available in hard copy by writing to: 
Water Management Division
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
12565 West Center Road
Omaha, NE  68144.