Missouri River uses to be reviewed

YANKTON, S.D. (AP) — The Army Corps of Engineers is undertaking a historic review of the authorized uses of the Missouri River basin, a move that could greatly affect Yankton.

The five-year Missouri River Authorized Purposes Study could have huge implications for keeping in place or totally overhauling the eight current purposes for which the river is used.

Congress has directed the corps to review the 1944 Flood Control Act. The act authorized implementation of the Pick-Sloan Plan, which included construction of mainstem dams and reservoirs along the river.

The study's goal is to determine if changes are warranted for the eight current purposes: flood control, hydropower, water supply, irrigation, navigation, recreation, water quality and fish and wildlife. The study includes infrastructure operated by both the corps and Bureau of Reclamation.

So far, hearings have not brought forth any radical suggestions, said Paul Lepisto of Pierre, S.D., regional conservation coordinator for the Izaak Walton League of America.

“There hasn't been talk about any new uses for the river,” he said. “People have talked more about the possible realignment or reprioritization of the purposes — things like the timing of releases from the dam.”

The public needs to realize the intent of the current study, said corps spokesman Paul Johnston of Omaha.

“The is not about how the dams and reservoirs are operated. We did that with the master manual study. And this is not authorization of funds,” he said. “This is all about what they are operated for. This is the first time in 65 years that people have the opportunities to comment.”

The public also needs to realize who has the decision-making authority, Johnston added.

“Our responsibility is to provide a report to Congress to determine if change is warranted. The changes are up to Congress, not the Corps of Engineers,” he said. “(Congress) could add authorized purposes, they could delete authorized purposes, or they could change them somehow.”

The importance of the study is not lost on South Dakota officials, Lepisto said.

Last fall, Gov. Mike Rounds spoke about the study to the Missouri River Association of States and Tribes, Lepisto said.

“Gov. Rounds said MRAPS hasn't been changed in 65 years, and (this opportunity) may not come around again for 65 years,” he said.

The study process provides a chance for the public to press its case, Lepisto said.

“This will be a great opportunity, and it may be the only opportunity, for the general public to have the corps' ear,” he said. “Anyone with interest on a use of the river can say, ‘It's very important to us and here's why.' Or conversely, ‘This has been in use and authorized since the start, and we don't feel it's been a vital use of the river in today's economy.' You can fill in the blanks on both ends.”

The corps has received $25 million to cover technical studies and other costs associated with the report.

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