Leaders of 20 major Midwest agriculture, business, utility, industrial and navigation entities recently announced the formation of the Coalition to Protect the Missouri River (CPR).
The coalition was created to represent the diverse interests of organizations that support responsible management of Missouri River resources. CPR opposes any major changes in the management of the river that adversely affect congressionally authorized uses.
Coalition members include the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation and the Missouri Farm Bureau.
“The cooperation of such a diverse group of organizations speaks clearly to the importance of future river management decisions,” said U.S. Sen.
Christopher “Kit” Bond (R-Mo.). “CPR comes forward as a unified voice of strength for Missouri and Midwest river interests.”
NCGA Director of Production and Marketing Paul Bertels agreed. “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,” he added.
Randy Asbury, executive director of CPR, challenged the federal government to apply common sense to the Missouri River. CPR 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 overlooks proven species habitat restoration alternatives that can provide desired species habit without jeopardizing people who live near and depend on the river.
The new coalition 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.
For more information on the Missouri River and the spring rise, visit the NCGA Web site at www.ncga.com.
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