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NCGA Applauds Formation of Coalition to Protect
the Missouri River (9-7-01)
Leaders of 20 major
Midwest agriculture, business, utility, industrial and navigation entities,
including the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), recently announced
the formation of the Coalition to Protect the Missouri River (CPR).
CPR is a coalition created to represent the diverse interests of organizations
who support responsible management of Missouri River resources. CPR
opposes any major changes in the management of the Missouri River that
adversely affects congressionally authorized uses.
U.S. Senator Christopher
"Kit" Bond (R-MO) applauded the creation of CPR. Bond stated,
"The cooperation of such a diverse group of organizations speaks
clearly to the importance of future river management decisions. CPR
comes forward as a unified voice of strength for Missouri and Midwest
River interests." Bond is a long-term, vocal proponent for interests
of the Lower River Basin, including Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska.
NCGA Director of
Production and Marketing Paul Bertels agreed with Bond. "This issue
must not be overlooked," he said. "It is vital to the corn
growers in this area that something be done to ensure a spring-rise
does not happen."
Randy Asbury, Executive
Director of CPR, challenged the federal government to apply common sense
to the Missouri River. CPR adamantly opposes the "spring rise/split
navigation" recommendation advanced by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service (USFWS).
"While we are
opposed to a 'spring rise/split navigation' season, we support habitat
restoration for endangered or threatened species so long as it does
not place humans or their livelihood in jeopardy," Asbury said.
CPR believes the
legal and scientific shortcomings of the USFWS Biological Opinion, the
driving force behind USFWS river management recommendations, overlooks
proven species habitat restoration alternatives that can provide desired
species habitat without jeopardizing people who live near and depend
on the river.
The new organization
is asking business people, conservationists, environmentalists, farmers,
and others to join their grassroots effort to protect the Missouri River.
CPR is also setting up a Missouri River Legal Defense Fund.
"CPR goes on
notice saying we are in this battle for the long haul. Everyone needs
to realize we are serious about protecting our members' interests and
will proceed aggressively in doing so," proclaimed Asbury. "We
are grateful that we have bi-partisan support on these issues and commend
our congressional delegation, state officials and others in the Basin
for their untiring support on our behalf."
For more information
on the Missouri River and spring-rise, visit the NCGA
website.
Last reviewed
September 7, 2001
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