Missouri River group wrapping up review

States, tribes seek to improve waterway management

By Jomay Steen, Journal staff | Friday, December 05, 2008

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A World War II-era law that authorized the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to operate the Missouri River will undergo review.

During its two-day summit in Rapid City this week, the Missouri River Association of States and Tribes also changed its bylaws to have equal tribal and state representation.

The group now comprises officials from seven states and 10 tribes affected by the Missouri River. They reviewed the guidelines for the study on the 1944 Flood Control Act.

"We will be continuing that process. We've approved the study in February. It's a matter of working on the details now," executive director David Pope said.

Mary Sexton, the group's chairwoman, said they discussed how the flood control act is affecting states and tribes and what congressional changes may be needed.

"We try to be more proactive in improving the management of the Missouri River for wildlife, environment, recreation, industry and the communities," Sexton said.

Michael Jandreau, chairman of western South Dakota's Lower Brule Indian Reservation for 37 years, sees a need for the organization to do more as industry and residential demands continue to drain the water source.

"We have lost 300 feet of shoreline," he said.

In attempts to stave off erosion and chemical pollution, Jandreau said the Lower Brule tribe over 11 years has invested $8 million in reforestation, planting 1.75 million trees and seeing an 85 percent successful growth rate. Tribal natural resource crews also have set up monitors to record channel depth and shoreline loss.

"We're doing our best to take care of the Missouri River. We don't see that kind activity above or below river, which is disheartening," Jandreau said.

He believes the river is overextended now to meet water demands and fears that future needs will only accelerate its demise. Drawing down river levels to new lows also will expose historic burial sites and affect biological ecosystems and communities, such as Lower Brule.

"It will one day come to an end. And we're just forestalling it," he said.

Contact Jomay Steen at 394-8418 or jomay.steen@rapidcityjournal.com.