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Branstad wants review of Missouri River management

News

June 10th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

JOHNSTON, Iowa (AP) – Gov. Terry Branstad is calling for a review of the management of the Missouri River after this year’s flooding recedes. Speaking Friday on the public television program, “Iowa Press,” Branstad noted he has long questioned how the Army Corps of Engineers manages Missouri River dams upriver from Iowa. He thinks they don’t adequately protect downriver states.

He says the focus should now be on preventing flooding and recovering from any damages, but officials should later examine what could have been done to prevent huge releases of water that are threatening communities in Iowa, Nebraska and Missouri.

The Corps says the releases are needed because of a wet spring and a huge mountain snowpack.