OPINION:
For more than three decades, Missouri has engaged in a water war with North Dakota. During that time, Missouri’s congressional delegation, governor and attorney general — regardless of party — have worked together to protect our water.
As a young assistant attorney general 30 years ago, I witnessed the state, through legislation and litigation, oppose North Dakota projects diverting water from the Missouri River. It was a hard-fought battle then, and it remains one now.
Congress recently approved providing $50 million to North Dakota for a project that will move water out of the Missouri River basin to the Red River basin flowing into Canada.
Reductions in the amount of water available downstream will harm Missouri agriculture, utilities, public water supplies, power plants, navigation and the greater inland waterway system. Lower releases can also result in increased water temperature, diminished water quality and impacts to Missouri fish and wildlife.
In September, Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe sent a letter to Sen. John Hoeven of North Dakota, expressing Missouri’s adamant opposition to diversions of water from the Missouri River basin.
We see what has happened out West where rivers have been diverted and depleted. The North Dakota diversions are the first but certainly won’t be the last.
Missouri must oppose federal funding or actions diverting water from the Missouri River and work with members from Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska to find a fair balance between the upper and lower basin.
Missouri has a strong congressional delegation, and we thank Rep. Sam Graves for his leadership as chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. He and Sens. Kit Bond and Roy Blunt have protected Missouri’s interests by championing Missouri River issues for decades.
Our delegation can’t do it alone. We need congressional champions in other lower-basin states to join us in protecting the interests of downstream states.
KURT U. SCHAEFER
Director, Missouri Department of Natural Resources
Columbia, Missouri
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