July 14, 2011
By: Carrie Van Brunt-Wiley
The governor of Iowa has written a letter to several other nearby state leaders urging them to form their own river association to deal with flooding, according to a report.
The Associated Press obtained a copy of a letter sent by Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, who says the existing Missouri River Association of States and Tribes does not do enough to address the flooding concerns of states downstream from that river. MoRAST was formed in 2006 and includes North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. Branstad wrote the governors of the latter three states, urging them to form a separate association, since he feels MoRAST favors the northernmost states in its policies and procedures.
Flood protection along the Missouri River is managed by the Army Corps of Engineers, which has been criticized for actions that led to higher water levels and extensive flood damage for homes along the river this year.
"As governor of Iowa, my duty is to constantly pursue opportunities in the best interest of this state, as such Iowa is currently evaluating whether to maintain its membership in MoRAST," Branstad wrote, according to the AP.
Last week, Kansas Governor Sam Branback criticized the Corps, saying they've produced a situation where any heavy rain could result in catastrophic water levels. That could pose a significant problem for residents who rely solely on standard home insurance and lack flood coverage.
For more about flood insurance you can visit: Flood Smart
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