KANSAS CITY, Mo.,— The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Kansas City District Commander, Col. Andrew Sexton, delivered a message to the Missouri Levee and Drainage District Association during their annual meeting on Mar. 7. During his message, he discussed the Corps dedication to working with stakeholders in an effort to be collaborative and transparent in our processes on the Missouri River.
Sexton was followed by other key USACE personnel in updating the public on current key legislation and policies being created, their status, and specifically the status of federal flood risk management standards and new proposed rulemaking for the Clean Water Act.
USACE personnel listened to concerns from stakeholders in regards to where the agency should focus their priorities. During the MLDDA meeting, concerns were expressed about the amount of funding going toward programs for compliance with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Biological Opinion. Currently, the USACE spends approximately 20 percent of its average annual Missouri River budget on BiOp compliance with the balance going to flood risk management, navigation and other purposes. Since the early 1900’s Congress has invested over $35 billion in the Missouri River Basin. These projects generate $1.8 billion in annual benefits to the nation. The operation and maintenance of the Mainstem Reservoir System and of the Bank Stabilization and Navigation Project is funded at approximately $110 million per year.
USACE is working with stakeholders representing interests throughout the basin to develop a new management plan that will guide the implementation of the BiOp. The stakeholder group, formally known as the Missouri River Recovery Implementation Committee, has multiple members that also belong to MLDDA. The management plan will allow USACE to continue to operate the Missouri River for all congressionally authorized purposes while accounting for human considerations provided by the MRRIC.
Another essential topic conveyed from the stakeholders was the importance of navigation on the Missouri River. USACE values stakeholder input and works with many Missouri River Basin stakeholders in a collaborative and transparent process. As a reflection of this commitment, the Corps works closely with the navigation industry to identify priority areas for maintenance and repair of navigation structures. For example, the Corps hosted its annual Navigator’s meeting this past February to share pertinent information from the Corps and the U.S. Coast Guard.
Also, in response to stakeholder concerns that Missouri River Recovery Program’s Jameson Island shallow water habitat project was deeper than the adjacent navigation channel, the USACE completed a detailed survey. The survey showed that the project was functioning as designed and had an average depth approximately half the depth of the navigation channel. As a general rule, USACE designs these projects such that no more than 7-10 percent of the river’s discharge is directed into habitat projects.
The Corps also provided an update on the levee safety program. The program will continue to emphasize the importance of levee inspections and risk assessments. Levee inspections are the foundation for obtaining information and assessing levees, and risk assessments allow the Corps and the levee sponsor to make risk-informed decisions in prioritizing maintenance activities.
“In my opinion, the district has demonstrated leadership, vision, and a convincing commitment to our stakeholders that we have the tools in place and are well-prepared to carry out our mission,” said Sexton.
There are additional opportunities for the public to interact with the Corps during the upcoming annual operations meetings. The Missouri River Basin Water Management Division will host five public meetings to update stakeholders on current hydrologic conditions and the planned operation of the Mainstem Reservoir System in 2015. The meeting within our area is scheduled for April 9 at 11 a.m. at the Jerry Litton Visitor Center at Smithville Lake in Smithville, Mo.
For more information on key USACE programs, contact the Public Affairs Office at 816-389-3486.
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Release no. PA-2015-12