Missouri's auditor sues the governor.

The lawsuit by Republican Tom Schweich charges the Democratic governor has violated the state constitution by withholding appropriations to state agencies, including education, to provide funds for natural disaster relief.

At issue is a constitutional provision giving the governor power to withhold appropriations from state agencies if revenues fall below the original estimates upon which the budget was based.

Jay Nixon has based his withholding on the basis of needing the money in order to provide additional money for natural disaster relief involving damages from the Joplin tornado and flooding along the Missouri and Mississippi rivers.

On August 19, Schweich had sent the governor a letter questioning Nixon's constitutional authority to withhold funds. In the letter, Schweich charged the governor's budget director failed to provide any data demonstrating there was an actual shortage in revenue collections.

Article IV, Section 27 provides that "The governor may...reduce expenditures of the state or any of its agencies below their appropriations whenever the the actual revenues are less than the revenue estimates upon which the appropriations were based."

Earlier this summer, Nixon had announced he would include the disaster relief funding in the legislature's special session that begins Sept. 6.

But in his official call, issued after Schweich's letter, Nixon dropped the natural disaster issue from his formal call. In a written statement, Nixon was quoted as saying they did not yet have a full estimate of the costs.

McCaskill Presses Corps to Stop Sending Letters Seeking Land Purchases

U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill is working to stop poorly timed letters that the Army Corps is sending to landowners impacted by the record flooding. These letters, intended to gauge landowners’ interest in selling all or part of their land to the federal government for the purposes of fish and wildlife habitat restoration, have been sent despite the fact that residents along the Missouri River basin have been struggling to fight historic flooding for the past several weeks.

The issue was widely discussed during McCaskill’s visit to flooded areas in Northwest Missouri this past weekend. In a letter to Brigadier General John McMahon, Commander and Division Engineer of the Northwestern Division of the Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), McCaskill calls for the Corps to stop issuing letters to landowners during this extraordinary event.

McCaskill further stressed that this is a trying time for many communities and residents along the river’s reach, and it’s improper for the Corps to issue such letters when those affected continue to work around the clock trying to prevent the loss of their livelihoods.

Missouri Guardsmen cross the state lend a hand in the northwest corner

While at their annual training in Festus, a dozen Citizen-Soldiers with the 220th Engineer Co. (Horizontal) were asked to haul their heavy equipment nearly 400 miles across the state to help with the flood fight in northwest Missouri.

The Missouri Army National Guard has been working in several counties along the Missouri River fighting to keep back the rising waters for weeks. Recently the need arose to move dirt and sand. These engineers answered that call.

“We’re one of the first ones called anytime there’s a flood duty around,” said Lt. Joe Estes, of Fenton. “We’ve got all of the equipment for it.

While in Mound City, the platoon worked alongside other area Guardsmen to reinforce a berm at Davis Creek. Battery D, 1-129th Field Artillery, of Independence, and the 1128th Forward Support Co., based in Marshall, worked in the heat with other community members to protect the town from the increasing water.

“Even though this is a small town, people are people,” said Estes.

Missions such as this are not in unchartered waters for Estes and the rest of his unit. Earlier this spring, these engineers played a major role with the daunting flood fight in southeast Missouri.

“This isn’t our first rodeo,” said Estes. “We’ve worked three [state emergencies] already and it’s just now summertime.”

The northwest Missouri flooding marks the fifth state emergency of the year. It is the second flood mission the Missouri National Guard has taken on in 2011 and the seventh flood response since 2007.

“Anytime we can get out there, there’s a personal satisfaction that comes with helping people,” said Staff Sgt. Randy Hargis, of Pacific. “You can say you took part in saving a town from a flood.”

Though these troops were called away from a two-week training with the rest of their company, both Estes and Hargis agree that the real-world, hands-on experience they are getting over six hours away from home is invaluable.

While helping fellow Missourians, these engineers can still hone their skills operating heavy machinery such as wheel loaders, dump trucks and skid loaders.

“They’re getting stick time and they were all stoked about coming here to help,” said Hargis.

“It’s a double bonus helping people out and getting training on your piece of equipment,” said Estes.

For more information about the Missouri National Guard, please visit www.moguard.com and our social media sites:

www.facebook.com/Missouri.National.Guard; www.twitter.com/Missouri_NG; www.youtube.com/MoNationalGuard; www.myspace.com/missouri_ng; www.flickr.com/photos/missouriguard; www.blog.moguard.com

Four New Roads Closed Due to Missouri River Flooding

The Missouri Department of Transportation has announced that the following roads have been closed or impacted due to flooding (changes are in bold):

ATCHISON COUNTY:

• Route V - Closed near the Iowa state line.
• Interstate 29- Closed to all traffic (northbound) at mile marker 110. Traffic is being diverted at Exit 110 to U.S. 136.
• U.S. 275- Closed near Hamburg, IA.
• Route 111 - Closed from Route Z in Atchison County to the town of Craig in Holt County.
• U.S. 136 - Closed west of I-29. This blocks access to the Missouri River Bridge at Brownville.
• Route D- Closed between Route A and U.S. 136
• Route U - Closed between U.S. 136 and County Road 280.
• Route E - Closed between Route U and MO 111.
• Route A - Closed between County Road 175 and Route B.
• Route BB - Closed between County Road B Ave. and Route A.

HOLT COUNTY:

• U.S. 159 - Closed from Route P to the Nebraska state line. This blocks access to the Missouri River Bridge at Rulo. Recommended detour: U.S. 36 at St. Joseph.
• Route 111 - Closed from Route 118 to U.S. 159.
• Route W - Closed from I-29 to Route 111.
• Route 111 - Closed from the junction of Route 111 & 118 to the City of Craig.
• Route 118 - Closed from MO 111 to Route P
• Route P - Closed from MO 118 to MO 159

For more information about this or other projects being handled by MoDOT, please call our toll-free customer service hotline at: 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (1-888-275-6636).

Missouri Guardsmen volunteer to fight flood

Throughout northwest Missouri it’s common to stumble upon people helping people during this time of distress. Not because they have to, but because they want to lend a hand. Two Citizen-Soldiers with the Missouri Army National Guard on flood duty are doing just that.

Sgt. Clint Bain, of Blythdale, and Spc. David Baker, of Albany, volunteered to be a part of the flood fight.

“We usually volunteer every time,” said Bain. “That’s just part of the Guard duty.”

These Soldiers have been working a security detail at Big Lake, Mo., this week, posted at checkpoints around the area. Though this is their first flood duty with the National Guard, they both have served in other state emergency situations, including the blizzard that hit Missouri earlier this year.

“That’s what we signed up to do,” said Baker. “I know if it were my Family that was in a disaster, we’d hope and pray somebody would come to our aid.”

“I joined to protect my Family and Families that live around me,” said Bain. “That’s part of our duty to come out here and help out as much as we can.”

The Citizen-Soldiers drill with Battery A, 1-129th Field Artillery in Albany. Bain and Baker, along with other fellow artillerymen, are working in Holt County supporting local authorities, such as the sheriff’s department.

While on mission, Soldiers are in constant communication with the Tactical Operations Center in Maryville, calling in reports every hour.

Bain has served in the National Guard for five years. He is a correctional officer at Crossroads Correctional Center in Cameron.

Baker has served three years in the National Guard and also farms row crop and raises cattle in Albany.

The Missouri National Guard is mobilized under the authority of Gov. Jay Nixon and reports to local civil authorities. The Missouri National Guard will remain on duty until released by the Governor and local civil authorities.

Brad Lager Vice Chair of Disaster Recovery Committee

Thousands of Missouri families, residents and businesses that have been impacted by a number of natural disasters across the state will soon confront less red tape based on the work assigned to the Senate Interim Committee on Natural Disaster Recovery. Senate Leader Robert N. Mayer, R-Dexter, created the committee to examine what actions the Legislature should take in order to best assist Missouri residents and local governments as they recover and rebuild.

“Thousands of Missouri families have been in harm’s way this year because of natural disasters, and for many more, their way of living has been threatened,” Mayer said. “As lawmakers, it is our job to make sure government is helpful, rather than a burden, in the rebuilding process. That is why I created this interim committee to look at all aspects of recovery and the role government should play.”

Missourians across the state have been plagued recently by both natural and man-made disasters:

§ Dec. 31, 2010: Storms and tornadoes struck nine Missouri counties (Carter, Christian, Dent, Franklin, Phelps, Polk, St. Louis, Stone, Webster) and the city of St. Louis killing five people.

§ Jan. 31-Feb. 1, 2011: A blizzard brings record snow to 44 counties, triggering a State of Emergency.

§ April 22: Tornadoes in the St. Louis metropolitan area destroyed or damaged hundreds of homes and led to the temporary closing of the Lambert-St. Louis International Airport.

§ April 19-27: Heavy rainfall leads to levee breaches and flash flooding in the counties of Barry, Bollinger, Butler, Cape Girardeau, Carter, Christian, Douglas, Dunklin, Howell, Iron, Lawrence, Madison, Maries, McDonald, Mississippi, New Madrid, Newton, Oregon, Ozark, Pemiscot, Perry, Phelps, Pike, Polk, Pulaski, Reynolds, Ripley, St. Francois, Scott, Shannon, Stoddard, Stone, Taney, Texas, Washington, Wayne, Webster and Wright. Poplar Bluff’s flood receives national attention while hundreds of homes and businesses are damaged across the state.

§ May 2: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers chose to blow open the levy at Bird’s Point opening the Bird’s Point-New Madrid floodway on the Mississippi River in Southeast Missouri, ultimately flooding more than 100 homes and 130,000 acres of prime farmland, with some still under water today.

§ May 22: A F5 tornado tore through Joplin, killing 154 people and destroying more than 8,000 homes and businesses in Jasper and Newton counties.

§ May 25: A tornado struck Sedalia causing damage to area homes and businesses, and injuring 25 people.

§ June 15–present: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began releasing a record 150,000 cubic feet per second of water from Gavins Point Dam in South Dakota triggering flooding along the Missouri River, expected to remain through summer.

Mayer named Sen. Ron Richard, R-Joplin, as chairman and Sen. Brad Lager, R-Savannah, as vice chairman. Mayer said both senators represent districts that have been and are currently being tragically impacted by a tornado and flooding, respectively. Mayer said Richard and Lager are committed to making sure Missourians do not have to battle government in their efforts to recover and rebuild.

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NATURAL DISASTER INTERIM COMMITTEE

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The Senate Interim Committee on Natural Disaster Recovery is comprised of three subcommittees charged with focusing on specific areas of response and recovery. Those subcommittees are: Emergency Response, Fiscal Response and Insurance Response. Each subcommittee will work with the appropriate administrative agencies in order to make preliminary reports to the committee’s chairman before the annual veto session held Sept. 14.

Other senators named to the committee include (listed by subcommittee):

Emergency Response – Sen. Mike Kehoe (chairman), R-Jefferson City; Sen. Will Kraus, R-Lee’s Summit; Sen. Brian Nieves, R-Washington; Senate Majority Floor Leader Tom Dempsey, R-St. Charles; Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal, D-University City; and Sen. Ryan McKenna, D-Crystal City.

Fiscal Response – Sen. Kurt Schaeffer (chairman), R-Columbia; Sen. Brian Munzlinger, R-Williamstown; Sen. Dan Brown, R-Rolla; Sen. Jim Lembke, R-St. Louis; Sen. Tim Green, D-Spanish Lake; and Sen. Kiki Curls, D-Kansas City.

Insurance Response – Sen. Mike Parson (chairman), R-Bolivar; Sen. Scott T. Rupp, R-Wentzville; Sen. Jay Wasson, R-Nixa; Sen. Bob Dixon, R-Springfield; Senate Minority Leader Victor Callahan, D-Independence; and Sen. Jolie Justus, D-Kansas City.

To learn more about the interim committees announced this week, visit www.senate.mo.gov.

Big Lake receives security support from Missouri Army National Guard

The Missouri Army National Guard continues to support flood missions in northwest Missouri and has added a security presence at Big Lake. A small contingency of Citizen-Soldiers are providing round-the-clock checkpoint security in the village assisting the Holt Co. Sheriff Dept.

The eight Soldiers are part of Task Force 110, led by Col. Greg Mason. The task force is providing flood relief efforts along the Missouri River starting with Atchison Co. in the northwest corner, down to Cooper Co. in the center of the state.

The troops on this mission serve with the 1-129th Field Artillery headquartered in Maryville. A tactical operations center is also set up in the Maryville armory providing support to area flood missions.

Another eight-man team, also with the 1-129th Field Artillery, remains on duty in Atchison Co. providing presence patrols in coordination with the Atchison Co. Sheriff Dept.

The Missouri National Guard encourages safety at all levels. Citizens should be are aware of surrounding conditions before movement.

The Missouri National Guard is mobilized under the authority of Gov. Jay Nixon and reports to local civil authorities. They will remain on duty until released by the Governor.

Brad Lager Calls for Senate Hearings on Corps Releases

State Senator Brad Lager today called for Senate hearings after touring the flood damage and hearing from constituents who stand to lose their homes and businesses due to record flooding being caused by releases from dams upstream.

“If anyone else purposefully destroyed property and businesses like this they would be put in jail,” said Lager. “Where is the President? Why is no one being held accountable for continued mismanagement of the river?”

Lager is the Chairman of the Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and Environment Committee which oversees the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. While the Committee does not have jurisdiction of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Lager said that his Committee could shine the light on mismanagement of the river and the need for a better plan for Missouri.

“The Corps mission should be to prevent floods, not delay them,” said Lager. “I’m not sure what difference the Corps is making if all they do is hold water and then create floods downstream. We need a better plan than simply throwing our hands up in the air and releasing record amounts of water.”

Lager said he hopes to hold hearings later this summer or in the fall.

Missouri DOT Closing Roads from Missouri River Flooding

Atchison County:
Route V near the Iowa state line is now underwater and closed to all traffic. Interstate 29 is narrowed to one northbound lane at the Missouri 123 mile markernorth to the .9 mile marker in Iowa. The northbound driving lane is closed to allow the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to place sandbags along the shoulder. The northbound passing lane will remain open to traffic at this time. For more information about this or other projects being handled by MoDOT, please call our toll-free customer service hotline at: 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (1-888-275-6636).

More Road Closings Announced from Missouri River Flooding

The Missouri Department of Transportation is sharing the following information on behalf of the Iowa DOT.
AMES, Iowa - June 13, 2011; 3 p.m. - The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) is reporting that it will be closing the Interstate 29/680 interchange near Loveland at 6 p.m. today.
This will result in closures being placed at the following locations.
· I-680 west- and eastbound from milepost 21 near Beebeetown (Pottawattamie/Harrison County Road L-34) to the I-29/680 interchange (milepost 71 near Loveland).
· I-29 south- and northbound lanes from the I-29/680 interchange to the I-29/U.S. 30 interchange (milepost 75 near Missouri Valley).
Local and I-29 regional corridor traffic (Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota)
· Follow the posted local detours or call the Iowa DOT's flood hotline at 1-866-452-8510 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily for personal traveler assistance.
· After hours, call 511 (in Iowa) or 800-288-1047 (out of state) for a recorded message of closed roads.
· View the flooded Iowa roads map for road closures, detours and areas at risk of flooding - http://iowadot.purlsmail.com/sendlink.asp?HitID=1307996054739&StID=25681&SID=0&NID=535406&EmID=125870465&Link=aHR0cDovL3Rpbnl1cmwuY29tLzNvMm10bHA%3D&token=56058b62f4642af14db4506bf24c3824fea5c8b9
National interstate travelers
For interstate travelers planning to use I-29 simply to travel through Iowa, the Iowa DOT suggests selection of an interstate route that avoids the flood-warned area along the Missouri River corridor entirely. Travelers can utilize any of the other interstate routes that remain available.
Interstate routes not expected to be impacted by flood waters:
· I-80 from east to west across the entire state
· I-35 from north to south across the entire state
· I-235 in Des Moines metro area
· I-380 from Iowa City to Waterloo
· I-74 and I-280 in the Quad Cities
· I-480 bridge between Council Bluffs and Omaha
I-29 remains vulnerable to additional closures due to the flooding. After the I-29/680 interchange is closed, I-29 will be closed from milepost 55 in Council Bluffs to milepost 75 near Missouri Valley.
Key traveler information resources:
· Iowa DOT's flood information call center 866-452-8510, open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, speak to an operator for travel assistance
· Road condition information 24 hours a day: visit http://iowadot.purlsmail.com/sendlink.asp?HitID=1307996054739&StID=25681&SID=0&NID=535406&EmID=125870465&Link=aHR0cDovL2lvd2Fkb3QucHVybHNtYWlsLmNvbS9zZW5kbGluay5hc3A/SGl0SUQ9MTMwNzg5ODM3OTMwMSZTdElEPTI1NjgxJlNJRD0wJk5JRD01MzUzMDAmRW1JRD05MDU2MDQ3Jkxpbms9YUhSMGNEb3ZMM2QzZHk0MU1URnBZUzV2Y21jdiZ0b2tlbj1lMDgxODZlZDNlNDFlYzIzZWE0MGUyNDkyYTZiM2U5Mjk3NjYzNzJi&token=56058b62f4642af14db4506bf24c3824fea5c8b9, or call 511 (in Iowa) or 800-288-1047 (outside of the state) for a recorded message of road closures
· Iowa DOT on Twitter- http://iowadot.purlsmail.com/sendlink.asp?HitID=1307996054739&StID=25681&SID=0&NID=535406&EmID=125870465&Link=aHR0cDovL2lvd2Fkb3QucHVybHNtYWlsLmNvbS9zZW5kbGluay5hc3A/SGl0SUQ9MTMwNzg5ODM3OTMwMSZTdElEPTI1NjgxJlNJRD0wJk5JRD01MzUzMDAmRW1JRD05MDU2MDQ3Jkxpbms9YUhSMGNEb3ZMM1IzYVhSMFpYSXVZMjl0THlNaEwybHZkMkZrYjNRdiZ0b2tlbj1lMDgxODZlZDNlNDFlYzIzZWE0MGUyNDkyYTZiM2U5Mjk3NjYzNzJi&token=56058b62f4642af14db4506bf24c3824fea5c8b9
· View the flooded Iowa roads map for road closures, detours and areas at risk of flooding - http://iowadot.purlsmail.com/sendlink.asp?HitID=1307996054739&StID=25681&SID=0&NID=535406&EmID=125870465&Link=aHR0cDovL3Rpbnl1cmwuY29tLzNvMm10bHA%3D&token=56058b62f4642af14db4506bf24c3824fea5c8b9
Media contact: Dena Gray-Fisher, 515-239-1922 or dena.grayfisher@dot.iowa.gov

KCP&L Prepares for Missouri River Flooding

KCP&L has been closely monitoring rising Missouri River levels and has taken proactive steps to protect its employees, customers and electrical infrastructure from potential flooding. KCP&L’s preparedness efforts include:
Continuous coordination with local, state and federal emergency management agencies.
Protecting facilities near the river by building concrete-block walls and sandbagging.
Staging replacement equipment, like backup transformers, near potential flood zones if needed.
Helicopter patrols of transmission line infrastructure near the river to ensure floating debris remains clear of power poles.
“KCP&L knows it takes the entire community to get ready for an event like this and we are doing our part,” said Terry Bassham, President and COO of KCP&L. “We are taking every possible step to ensure the reliability of power plants and electrical system while keeping the safety of our customers and employees foremost in our preparations.”
KCP&L customers living and working in areas that may flood also should take steps to prepare and stay safe. KCP&L’s intent is to take every reasonable step to avoid interrupting service to customers in and around flood areas. However, the safety of our customers and employees is our first priority. KCP&L will make efforts, as it is feasible, notify customers in affected areas when rising water indicates a potential hazard or when local or state officials mandate service disconnections. Customers also should watch for information from their local officials.
Electrical current travels through water. Therefore, flooding can create specific electrical safety concerns. Anyone in a flooded area should exercise extra caution.
If your home is still dry and you are evacuating, turn off power at the breaker and unplug appliances before you leave. It’s also a good idea to move appliances to the highest floor of your home, but only if you have time.
Stay away from power lines and pad-mounted transformers (typically green electrical boxes) in flooded areas.
Do not walk in standing water or venture into areas of debris; energized and dangerous power lines may not be visible.
Do not ride watercraft near power poles and power lines, as they too can be energized and deadly.
For status updates and more information about KCP&L’s preparation, visit www.kcpl.com/flood.

Southwest Iowa Flooding from Missouri River

Flooding from the Missouri River is beginning to impact additional roads in western Iowa as water levels continue to rise. Roads impacted by flooding are expected to be closed for an extended period of time.
Iowans are urged to closely monitor conditions and never enter a water-covered roadway. Flood waters can force a vehicle off the roadway. In addition, it is not uncommon for roadways and shoulders to be damaged when flooded, presenting unsafe conditions for motorists.

Current road closures/restrictions
I-29 Hamilton Boulevard interchange in Woodbury County: The I-29 interchange ramps at Hamilton Boulevard in Sioux City are closed.
(update) I-29 in Pottawattamie County: The south- and northbound lanes of I-29 between milepost 55 (N. 25th Street in Carter Lake) and the I-29/I-680 interchange at milepost 71 (near Loveland) are closed.
I-680 in Pottawattamie County: I-680 is closed from the I-29/680 interchange (exit 61 near Crescent) in Iowa to North 30th Street in Omaha, Nebr. (exit 13). This closure includes the Mormon Bridge across the Missouri River. The Iowa detour route for interstate roadways closed in this vicinity is: I-680 east from the I-29/I-680 interchange near Loveland to I-80, and then take I-80 southwest to Council Bluffs. Eastbound travelers on I-680 in Omaha that are intending to travel to Iowa must exit at North 30th Street (exit 13), continue south on North 30th Street to U.S. 75/I-480, and then continue south on I-480 to I-80 eastbound.
Iowa 2 in Fremont County: The right lane of eastbound Iowa 2 is closed west of I-29. The westbound lanes remain open. The speed limit will be reduced on this highway to assist travelers safely navigate through the area.

Highway segments at high risk of being closed due to flooding
I-29 near Blencoe: Two segments of I-29 are at risk of being impacted by flood waters in this area: (1) near milepost 103.5 south of Blencoe; and (2) near milepost 107 north of Blencoe.
I-29 and U.S. 30 near Missouri Valley: Locally sponsored agricultural levees provide some measure of protection for this area. Three highway segments are at most risk in this area: (1) U.S. 30 west of I-29 between mileposts 7 and 8; (2) U.S. 30 east of I-29 between mileposts 9 and 10; and (3) I-29 between mileposts 77 and 78.
I-29/I-680 interchange between mileposts 71-72 near Loveland: This interchange is presently part of the I-29 detour. It is expected to be covered with flood waters. A loss of this interchange will significantly impact I-29 travel along the entire highway corridor because it currently serves as a connector between the northern and southern portions of the route. The extent of the traffic impact on the multistate region is yet to be determined. It is dependent on what other Missouri River bridges and roadway segments along the corridor are eventually closed due to flooding.
I-29, U.S. 275 and Iowa 333 at Hamburg in Fremont County: Temporary repairs have been made to the levee in Atchison County, Mo., to delay a full breach. The timing of the closure of these roadways hinges on a full breach.
Iowa 127 near Mondamin: The segments most at risk of flooding are located east and west of Mondamin, near mileposts 0.8 and 1.5.
Iowa 175 near Onawa: The segment most at risk of flooding is west of I-29 near the Missouri River. This route serves as the river crossing between Onawa, Iowa, and Decatur, Nebr.
Iowa 376 (U.S. 75 Business): The roadway from Gordon Drive to Third Street in Sioux City is expected to close.

Undergoing further evaluation or being monitored
I-29, in Sioux City at the U.S. 77/Wesley Parkway underpass, exit 147B (known locally as the Downtown/Tyson Event Center exit)
I-29, from south of Bellevue (milepost 39) to Hamburg (milepost 1): This area is at a lesser risk, but would be inundated if the levee is breached or overtopped.
For traveler assistance, call the Iowa DOT's flood information call center 866-452-8510 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
For current updates on road conditions - 24 hours a day, visit www.511ia.org or call 511 (in Iowa) or 800-288-1047 (outside of the state).
For all of the Iowa DOT's flood-related information, visit http://www.iowadot.gov/ and click on the "Flooding Ahead" sign. You can also follow the Iowa DOT on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/iowadot/.

Cut to the Chase: Land Grab Underway

By Blake Hurst

Three professors at Southern Illinois University have started the post flood conversation with a well publicized letter to President Obama. The professors would like the Birds Point Levee breech to remain open, turning some of the most productive farmland in the world into a wetland. Those of us who remember the great flood of 1993 can write the script from here; environmental groups will use Mississippi County’s misfortune to attempt a land grab of massive proportions.

The least they could have done is wait until the water went down, or the proverbial dove arrived with the olive branch. The professors, without bothering to provide any evidence, claim that 200 square miles of fertile farmland would better serve mankind as a swamp, instead of producing food the world so desperately needs. I’m not sure how big the “I Miss Malaria Caucus” is, but it’s imperative we drown this foolish idea in its infancy. The levees must be repaired as soon as it dries enough for dirt to be moved.

The academics rightly point out that post-flood, much of the land will be covered in sand, so the land is now “marginal” farmland. In other words, once the land has been purposefully flooded, we can buy it cheap. I’m reminded of the old story about the young man who murdered his parents, then threw himself on the mercy of the court because he was an orphan. That sort of debater’s trick may lead to tenure, but it is unlikely to impress the farmers who are suffering from the worst flooding in nearly 100 years.

It won’t escape notice that the levee was blown to protect Southern Illinois. The professors are not only deluded, but self serving as well. The lack of concern they show for the families affected by the flood is breathtaking, the arrogance shown by their cavalier disregard for the efforts of generations of farmers is shocking. People are suffering, and the best that the academics can do is to propose a plan that will make the suffering permanent.

The Corps blew the levee because they felt it was necessary to destroy the levee to protect the rest of the Mississippi Delta. It would have been better if some other alternative could have been found, but desperate times can call for desperate measures. Now, the U.S. government has a moral obligation to help those in the path of this man-made flood. The levees must be repaired, the ground must be restored, the roads, bridges, and homes replaced.

Food prices are at record highs, commodity prices are setting new records, and we need the food that can be produced on the land once protected by the Bird’s Point Levee. Crop losses this year, and every year until repairs are made, will be over $100 million. People need the food, Missouri needs the economic activity, and the farmers who have spent generations making the Mississippi Delta bloom like a rose deserve a chance to reclaim their lives.

(Blake Hurst, of Westboro, Mo., is the president of Missouri Farm Bureau, the state’s largest farm organization.)

FEMA Pledges to Rethink Model for Determining Flood Maps

Today, U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill is applauding the Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for their plans to immediately put on hold
changes to the Flood Map Modernization Program that could have resulted in
skyrocketing flood insurance rates for many Missourians.  This announcement came in
response to a letter McCaskill sent along with 26 of her colleagues last month urging FEMA to consider the impact
of the program on affected areas.

In the letter to FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate on February 3, the bipartisan group
of senators asked the agency to change its policy regarding uncertified levees when
calculating who is required to buy federal flood insurance, shielding Missourians
who live in high-risk flood zones from rising insurance costs.

"I'm pleased that FEMA heeded our request to discontinue their current approach and
will now work to replace it with more precise methods that don't unfairly punish
Missouri's communities. I will continue to monitor this process to ensure that FEMA
employs modeling techniques that are both fair and accurate," McCaskill said.

Additionally, in the coming months, FEMA has committed to developing new policies
for modeling flood risks.  Until new policies can be put in place, FEMA will
withhold from issuing new Flood Insurance Rate Maps in communities that could
possibly benefit under the revised process.

McCaskill writes letter to FEMA seeking answers on flood maps

U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill and 26 of her colleagues this week urged the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) to help protect Missourians from skyrocketing flood insurance rates through changes to the Flood Map Modernization Program. In a letter to FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, the bipartisan group of senators asked the agency to change its policy regarding uncertified levees when calculating who is required to buy federal flood insurance, shielding Missourians who live in high-risk flood zones from rising insurance costs.

“We support FEMA’s efforts to maximize taxpayer dollars by choosing simpler, more cost effective modeling techniques when appropriate,” the senators wrote. “However, in cases where FEMA treats a flood control structure as if it has been completely wiped off the map, we may be unnecessarily devaluing property and hurting the economies of cities, towns, counties and businesses.”

In this letter, the senators said they believe FEMA has the capabilities to acknowledge that some levees provide a level of protection, and they shouldn’t be ignored. The senators added that with the nation still recovering from the worst economic downturn in 80 years, sticking with such a simplified mapping program could suppress some Americans’ property values and slow the financial recovery. Read the full letter here.

Last March, McCaskill also signed a letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers expressing similar concerns about the accuracy of the mapping process. That letter is available here.