U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-3) and the Missouri delegation sent a letter to the House and Senate Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) conferees made up of House and Senate negotiators seeking to improve management of the Missouri River.   

“In sending this letter to WRDA conferees, the entire Missouri delegation has united around three important concepts: we want a transparent, results-based strategy for mitigation on the Missouri; we want to uphold the ability of residents, business and municipalities to utilize Missouri River waters without being charged by the federal government; and we want to make sure the Corps is properly maintaining our vital navigation channel,” Luetkemeyer said. “WRDA is our primary opportunity to make these substantive changes to management of the Missouri River, and I am very pleased to be joined by the delegation in this important effort.”

Earlier this year, Luetkemeyer and U.S. Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO), who is serving on the WRDA conference committee, successfully included language in the House version of WRDA regarding mitigation.  The delegation letter to WRDA conferees seeks to maintain this language, while also expressing support for a concept championed by Senator John Hoeven (R-ND).

Specifically, the House language would require the Corps to provide more information about its mitigation efforts on the Missouri River and also asks to provide an inventory of all conservation lands along the river. The Senate language would prohibit the Corps from charging residents, companies and municipalities for water out of the reservoirs upstream.

NOTE: A copy of the letter that was sent to the WRDA conferees is attached.