http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20110802/OPINION04/308020017/-1/gallery_array/Missouri-River-plans-need-Native-Americans





Having worked on Missouri River issues for 10 years, I find refreshing the new spirit of compromise being embraced by our political leaders. We need, however, to include all governmental entities over the coming months as we work out a comprehensive plan.

Governors should invite a representative from the tribes in our basin to their meetings. Not many people understand that there are more acres of tribal homelands drained by the Missouri River than there are Iowa acres drained by the nation’s longest river. Historically, and even up to the current flood, Native Americans have been the first group to suffer losses.

The Pick-Sloan plan of large reservoirs constitute the largest federal taking of tribal lands. Many of these tribes have not recovered. I have great sympathy for my neighbors who evacuated their homes and may not return for three months, but when Native Americans were evacuated as the reservoirs rose, they were evacuated forever from their homes and their economic base in the river bottoms of the Missouri River.

We will develop a healthy relationship to the river when we respect its many forces and when we respect all the people living along the Missouri.

— Jim Redmond, Sioux City

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
To unsubscribe from the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to:
[log in to unmask]

Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information:
http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp

To view the Sierra Club List Terms & Conditions, see:
 http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/terms.asp