Missouri River Basin Association

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February 27, 2004:

Today, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released a Final Environmental Impact Statement for the operation of Missouri River dams and reservoirs, a Draft of the Revised Missouri River Master Manual, and a Draft Final Annual Operating Plan for the dams and reservoirs for 2004.  Copies of these three imprtant documents can be found by clicking on the link below to the Corps Missouri River Reservoir Control website:

http://www.nwd-mr.usace.army.mil/rcc/index.html

These documents are extremely large.  For a shorter summary of the new Master Manual, click on the following link:

http://www.nwd-mr.usace.army.mil/mmanual/Summary.pdf

The Corps issued a news release about the new Master Manual, which is reprinted by permission below:

News Release

US Army Corps of Engineers

12565 West Center Road

Omaha, Nebraska  68144-3869

Contact:   Paul Johnston

Northwestern Division Public Affairs Office

(402) 697-2552, Fax: (402) 697-2554

            Date: February 27, 2004

Corps releases Missouri River Final Environmental Impact Statement, Draft Revised Master Manual and Draft 2004 Annual Operating Plan

            OMAHA – The Army Corps of Engineers released today for public comment its Final Environmental Impact Statement for the operation of Missouri River dams and reservoirs. Also released were a Draft of the Revised Missouri River Master Manual and a Draft Final Annual Operating Plan for the dams and reservoirs for 2004.  The Master Manual sets forth the guidelines for the operation of the Corps six Mainstem dams on the Missouri River.

              “We believe the preferred alternative in this Final Environmental Impact Statement and water control plan in the Revised Master Manual is the best balance for serving the multiple purposes of the reservoir system as authorized by Congress, meets the Corps’ trust and treaty obligations to federally recognized Tribes, and complies with the environmental laws, including the National Environmental Policy Act and Endangered Species Act,” said Brig. Gen. William Grisoli, Northwestern Division Engineer.

              “The release of these documents today brings us one step closer to completion of a long-range program for the operation of the Missouri River,” said General Grisoli. 

“We must maintain our flexibility to meet all of the Congressionally authorized purposes while complying with the Endangered Species Act. 

            “Our immediate goal is to work with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to develop the amount of species habitat that will allow this year’s operation for minimum navigation service and provide for other uses such as water supply, water quality, and recreation.  

            “In addition, this basin has been subjected to two serious droughts since 1967.  In our revised plans, we are recommending conservation measures to better conserve water early in a drought; resulting in  reduced impacts to the public.   

            “The Corps of Engineers is committed to improving the survival of species, providing predictibility to the basin, and lessening the impact of severe drought by retaining more water in the reservoirs.”  

The lengthy Final Environmental Impact Statement and the Draft Revised Master Manual describe new drought conservation measures that save water in the reservoirs earlier in a drought than under the current plan and unbalances storage in the three biggest reservoirs to benefit both endangered species and game fish.  

Also proposed is a comprehensive set of measures to help recover protected species. The President’s budget for next year includes $69 million for habitat improvement along the Missouri River. As a result of these measures, the Corps can also provide predictability for river operation and allow the Corps to meet the Congressionally authorized purposes of flood control, hydropower, water supply, water quality, irrigation, navigation, recreation, and fish and wildlife. 

            The preferred alternative and comprehensive recovery plan embrace prudent operational changes based on existing sound scientific and engineering principles and practices, comprehensive monitoring and evaluation, and adaptive management initiatives involving basin stakeholders. 

            “Public participation in the proposed Missouri River Recovery Implementation Committee will be critical to such efforts to recover these protected species,” said General Grisoli. “We want to hear from the public because the Corps, as an honest broker, must serve the Nation and its citizens in protecting one of our national treasures – the Missouri River.” 

            To comply with a court order, the public comment period on the Final Environmental Impact Statement is reduced to 14 days, from March 5 through March 19.  Comments will be accepted in writing and via e-mail.  Send written comments to:  Master Manual Project Manager, Northwestern Division, 12565 West Center Road, Omaha, NE  68144.  Send e-mail comments to:  mastermanual@usace.army.mil.   

            The FEIS, summary and comments on the draft EIS are available on the Northwestern Division website at:  www.nwd.usace.army.mil.  Also available are the draft Master Water Control Manual and the draft of the Final 2004 Annual Operating Plan based on the new Master Manual as well as a link to make comments on the FEIS.