Due to the government shutdown earlier this month, the US Army Corps of Engineerswas unable to hold five public meetings on the 2013-2014 Draft Annual Operating Plan for the Missouri River Mainstem System.
Jody Farhat, Chief of the Missouri River Basin Water Management, says those meetings have been replaced with a public conference call scheduled for next Monday, October 28th at 1:00 p.m.
At that time, the public may call in with questions, suggestions or comments about the 2013-2014 plan. Farhat believes flood control will be a primary concern for those who live in the basin.
"We had record floods in 2011, severe drought in 2012 and this year we’ve been inching our way back to normal. But just this fall we’ve had a lot of rain and that very heavy snow up in the Dakotas so we are really seeing a return to wet basin conditions in the upper basin. So I think that will be foremost on people’s minds; are we ready for another big flood year, in case that happens.”
The call-in meeting begins at 1:00 p.m. on Monday the 28th. For details on how to access the conference call and to look at a draft of the upcoming Annual Operating Plan, click here.