uMarch 2005: Congress rejects NRCS, COE funding requests

We hate to report that our first efforts at getting federal funding to help address the sediment problems were unsuccessful. Unfortunately, we must so report. MSAC had requested $800,000 to be directed to NRCS to determine the location of origination of sediment being delivered by Missouri River tributaries above Gavins Point Dam in the states of Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Nebraska. The request was made through Senator Daschle’s office, but did not make the final budget. We had also requested $70,000 for the Corps of Engineers to study the best location and type of demonstration project. This request also failed. We have had discussions with our congressional delegation, and aides for Senators and Representatives from Montana, North Dakota, and Nebraska. We have been assured that the request will be resubmitted again for inclusion in the 2006 fiscal year budget, and that we will receive active support from those parties. It is probable that we got lost in the shuffle during last year’s election campaigns. We hope for better luck this year.

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