U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer’s (MO-9) request for a 60-day public comment period and a public hearing for Missouri River stakeholders regarding the shallow water habitat creation at Jameson Island has been granted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The creation of the shallow water habitat and dumping of excess sediment into the river has been an ongoing issue that has concerned many Missouri River stakeholders.

“I am pleased that the Corps has agreed to extend the public comment period for an additional 60-days and has committed to hold a public hearing for stakeholders, as this is an issue that directly impacts thousands of Missourians living along the Missouri River and their farms, businesses, and communities,” Luetkemeyer said. “It is essential that the public has ample opportunity to review the Corps plan and provide meaningful comment.” 
 
In his letter Luetkemeyer noted that a 60-day extension of the comment period to June 30, 2012 will provide stakeholders with a greater opportunity to review the Corps lengthy proposal and submit their views on it. For many of the residents living along the Missouri River, the proposed comment period will be opened and closed during the agricultural planting season, making it difficult for some of the individuals that are most impacted by the Corps actions to provide input. The date of the hearing has yet to be finalized.

Luetkemeyer currently serves on the House Missouri River Working Group, created in 2011 to highlight the gross disparity between funding for endangered species and ecosystem restoration, and funding for operations and maintenance of flood control systems. The group will continue to work together in order to call attention to the ongoing issues surrounding management of the Missouri River.