Welcome to the Coalition to Protect the Missouri River (CPR) website.  The idea for CPR was conceived during the Missouri River Master Manual Review and Update in order to provide the founding organizations a greater opportunity to engage and influence that dynamic and economic threatening process.

CPR has been in existence since July 2001 and represents the diverse interests of agricultural, navigational, industrial, utility and business-related entities.  It supports responsible management of Missouri River resources and the maintenance of congressionally authorized purposes of the river including flood control, navigation and water quality and supply.  CPR also supports responsible habitat restoration for endangered or threatened species.

CPR was created to be a watch group over Missouri River issues and their impact to economic stakeholders.  We continue to act in that capacity as yet another year of Missouri River issues has passed and 2013 brings with it the continuation of familiar issues and the beginning of new challenges.  There is a need for ongoing vigilance in regard to the multitude of issues facing those that make their livelihood either directly or indirectly from the river.  CPR provides that vigilance.

In 2012, CPR worked closely with state and federal partners and allies to bring common sense to river issues.  Over the years, great relationships have been built with governmental and non-governmental friends and allies.  These relationships form the basis of all our activities and successes.  CPR founders realized it would take the collaborative efforts of a coalition of organizations to effectively meet the challenges which continue to confront economic stakeholders.

Among our efforts is our continued participation on the Missouri River Recovery Implementation Committee (MRRIC).  MRRIC affords us an early and transparent opportunity to see what is at the forefront of Corps efforts.  Without this opportunity, we would be watching from the sidelines and from a distance.  Though the investment of time and money to attend MRRIC meetings is high, the benefit of being at the table outweighs the disadvantage of not participating.

As a result of MRRIC’s activities, the Independent Science Advisory Panel (ISAP) created by MRRIC did conclude the spring rise wasn’t meeting its anticipated goals.  For that reason, it will not be implemented this year as the Corps, MRRIC and ISAP attempt to determine the next step regarding efforts to address the needs of the threatened or endangered pallid sturgeon, interior least tern and piping plover.  It is our hope common sense will prevail and the spring rise will be seen for what it is – an unnecessary risk to lower basin stakeholders while of no benefit to species recovery.

Last year, we were also able to act as a valuable resource to our Mississippi River partners and allies during the low water crisis that lasted throughout the fall and into this year.  Fortunately, between the removal of the rock pinnacles and timely water inflows, the total shutdown of the river was averted.  Unfortunately, draft and tow restrictions plagued the operators on the river who faced significant economic losses as a result of the simultaneous droughts in the Missouri and Mississippi River basins.  We were pleased that we were able to offer important Missouri River operational information during the strategic discussions associated with the crisis.

Many issues continue to exist in the basin.  Following these comments you will find a listing of the most important river issues facing us at this time.  Of all the issues mentioned, we believe the programmatic Missouri River Recovery Program (MRRP) EIS has the most potential to impact our interests.

I anticipate the MRRP EIS, ISAP spring rise efforts and general MRRIC efforts to be the focus of the coming year’s CPR activities.  CPR continues to be a reputable and credible resource to many allies and state and federal friends.  We will continue to ensure those relationships are strong and that CPR is seen as the preeminent Missouri River group in the Lower Basin.

Missouri River Issues Update – February 27, 2013

Provided by Missouri Department of Natural Resources

Surplus Water Reports: Omaha District Corps has assessed the volume of surplus water in each of the Missouri River mainstem dams, beginning with Lake Sakakawea.  MoDNR provided extensive comments on the Lake Sakakawea Draft Surplus Water Report in January of 2011.  The Final Surplus Water Report for Garrison Dam/Lake Sakakawea and draft reports for the remaining 5 mainstem reservoirs were released in August of 2012.  The Corps has begun entering into agreements for use of water from Lake Sakakawea.  Currently no charge is being imposed for the use of surplus water.  However, the Corps was directed by Secretary Darcy in May of 2012 to develop a nationwide pricing policy for surplus water within 18 months.  MoDNR is awaiting the release of the final reports for the remaining mainstem reservoirs.

Background Information:

http://www.nwo.usace.army.mil/Missions/CivilWorks/Planning/PlanningProjects.aspx

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(Re)Allocation Study: The Corps has begun a Re-allocation study to address long-term water supply needs under the 1958 Water Supply Act. Scoping meetings were held throughout the basin in September 2012.  The Corps has indicated the study will evaluate water supply needs from the headwaters of Fort Peck to the mouth of the river above St. Louis.  All indications from the Corps are that this process will not result in any operational changes to the reservoir system.  A Scoping Summary Report is expected out in the month of February.  The timeline for the study is anticipated to be 3 years at a cost of $3 million dollars.

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Missouri River Recovery Program Programmatic EIS: On Friday, January 18 the Corps published a Notice of Intent in the Federal Register to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Missouri River Recovery Management Plan.  This is intended to be a programmatic EIS covering programs as part of the BSNP Mitigation and BiOp Recovery Goals, including Cottonwoods, Emergent Sandbar Habitat, and Shallow Water Habitat.  Additionally, the Corps is using the EIS to address concerns raised by the Independent Science Advisory Panel.  The EIS will address cumulative impacts and develop alternatives to achieve the recovery goals.  The Corps has indicated they will be conducting scoping meetings in the summer of 2013.

Background Information:

https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2013/01/18/2013-00993/notice-of-intent-to-prepare-an-environmental-impact-statement-for-the-missouri-river-recovery

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BiOp Spring Rise: Through the MRRIC, an Independent Science Advisory Panel released a report in 2011 determining that the Spring Rise was not meeting any of its expected outcomes as outlined in the 2003 Amended BiOp.  With the results of this report, the Corps and FWS determined not to conduct a Spring Rise in 2012 and 2013 while a review and revision of the Spring Rise was underway.  The FWS is indicating that a Spring Rise is necessary in 2014.  All new options for the Spring Rise will be brought to MRRIC for approval.  (2003AmendedBiOp FlowModification GavinsPoint)

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Ongoing Discussions Regarding Missouri River Recovery Program (MRRP)/Bank Stabilization and Navigation Project (BSNP)/Operations &Maintenance (O&M) Funding Levels: Discussions between Corps’ staff and stakeholders continue in regard to obtaining specific project details of fund allocations included in various Corps funding spreadsheets. The MO River BSNP Funding Levels Update 9 May 2012 provided by Steve Iverson is the latest spreadsheet for which additional detail is being sought.

The tentative budget for Fiscal Year 2013 is $56 million ($6 million of which is carried over from FY12), down from the President’s FY13 Budget (PB) request of $90 million for the MRRP, as well as down from the $71 million in FY12. The budget remains tentative as the federal government is operating under a Continuing Resolution (CR).

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Missouri River Flood 2011 Vulnerabilities Assessment Report: The Vulnerabilities Assessment Report was released in October 2012.  The report consists of two volumes, Volume I, a summary document, and Volume II, the technical report.  Outlined in the report are vulnerabilities of the flood control network throughout the Missouri River Basin including: tributary projects, federal and non-federal levees, the BSNP, and dam release structures (spillways, tunnels, etc.).  To address these vulnerabilities the report identifies actions to Repair, Restore and Enhance the system.  Repair consists of fixing damages caused by the 2011 flood; Restore consists of renovating the system to original design intent (Pick-Sloan Plan) and Enhance consists of improving system capacity and capability beyond original design.

Additional Information:

Kansas City District Levee Status Pages:

-          http://www.nwk.usace.army.mil/Missions/EmergencyManagement/LeveeRehabilitation/LeveeUpdates.aspx

-          http://www.nwk.usace.army.mil/Portals/29/docs/emergencymanagement/2011flood/Non-FederalLeveeRepairs-Status-2011_flood_Dec-7.pdf

-          http://www.nwk.usace.army.mil/Portals/29/docs/emergencymanagement/2011flood/FederalLeveeRepairs-Status-2011_flood_Dec-7.pdf

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Missouri River Bed Degradation Study: The Kansas City Corps is now in the Feasibility Stage of this study. They identified what they believe to the root cause of the degradation during the Reconnaissance Stage of the study completed in 2009.  “In summary, riverbed degradation in the Kansas City reach and other reaches of the lower 498 miles of the Missouri River is the result of a combination of causes. Over time, shifts between degradation causes and an interaction between those causes have varied. Data collected over the last 15 years suggest that increased dredging take, working in concert with the BSNP, has become the dominant cause of degradation.” KC Corps has a model developed to assess the likely “fix” for the issue and cost estimates pertaining to the remediation of the degradation problem.

Additional Information: http://www.nwk.usace.army.mil/Missions/CivilWorks/CivilWorksProgramsandProjects/MissouriRiverBedDegradation.as