Iowa, Nebraska withdraw from Mo. River Association
Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad and Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman announced Friday that both states would be withdrawing immediately from the Missouri River Association of States and Tribes (MoRAST).
Both governors cited a need to better protect citizens’ homes, businesses and farms through flood control as their key reasons for leaving the regional interstate organization (PDF), which is comprised of 28 tribes and eight states to “facilitate management of the natural resources of the Missouri River Basin including water resources, fish and wildlife and consideration of the impacts to the economic, historical, cultural and social resources among the basin states, tribes and the federal government.”
In a letter dated Nov. 3 Branstad wrote that he no longer “believe[s] that MoRAST is the best avenue to purse Iowa’s interest and priorities.”
“„The governors of the Missouri River have formed a Missouri River Working Group which has met twice to discuss the importance of elevating the focus on flood control in the management of the Missouri River. These meetings have provided an opportunity to directly interact with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, other states and relevant federal partners to pursue solutions to the flooding challenges facing our respective states. … I am encouraged by these high-level discussions and remain committed to actively participating in these important discussions about Missouri River management and the recovery work ahead. …
“„At the recent MoRAST meeting in Rapids City, S.D., MoRAST was not responsive to the perspectives of some states, including Iowa. While seven of the eight Missouri River governors have called for a heightened focus on flood control, MoRAST did not actively pursue this goal at the recent meeting. Moreover, there have been long-standing concerns that MoRAST’s by-laws are too narrowly constrained to adequately represent the diversity of key stakeholders and multiple uses of the river. …
Branstad concluded by writing that “impacted Iowans deserve a fresh approach to Missouri River management.”
Likewise, Heineman indicated that his state’s best interests were better served “by alternate forms of discussion and engagement,” like those happening as a part of the newly formed Missouri River Working Group.
