River park reopens: An Elkhorn River access park near West Maple Road has reopened. The popular recreation area had been closed in June for repair of damaged facilities caused by Elkhorn River flooding. The park offers access for canoeing, kayaking, tubing, fishing and picnicking. It is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Two other Elkhorn River public access parks — Elkhorn Crossing Recreation Area near 252nd Street and Bennington Road, and Graske Crossing Recreation Area near West Dodge Road — remain closed for repairs.
Trail still closed: The Papio-Missouri Natural Resources District said the entire five-mile length of the Bellevue Loop Trail will remain closed for the rest of 2011. The trail runs south from Haworth Park in Bellevue, then west along the Papillion Creek. The trail is atop the NRD's R-616 Levee. Missouri River flood cleanup, silt removal and levee repairs make the trail unsafe for use.
Working group: U.S. Rep. Tom Latham, R-Iowa, has been named to a congressional working group that will help give citizens in seven states a voice in managing the Missouri River. Latham said the management of the river by the government has superseded the needs and lives of the communities and states along the river. He said citizens deserve a voice as the government looks toward a new management plan, and the congressional working group will be a resource for citizens to be heard. Latham said he will bring the concerns of Iowans to the discussion to ensure that any new plan is focused on flood prevention.
— World-Herald staff writer Kevin Cole and the Associated Press
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