Missouri River Planning Recommendations

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_ Aricu g it and Bank. Stab-ifiz'afion Recommendations The Missouri River floodplain is one of the most productive agricultural valleys in the world, and the Missouri River Basin - Association considers farming to be the-highest and best use of the vast majority of the floodplain; Some of the recommenda- tions below are designed to protect these valuable farmlands in the 1VIssouri River floodplain. ' Bank stabilization helps protect existing and future uses of the floodplain ihcludjng farming. If also helps-protect the cultural resources of the river_ system.. Bank stabilization can also change the l ydrologic and ecological functions of the river system.'The recommendationsbelow are- designed to - stabilize sections of the river bAnks while improving habitat where possible, and help agencies pro - vide adequate flood protection, for the basin acid avoid future flood -damages. Flood control is an important project I purpose of the-Missouri River dams and bank stabilization - projects. Obviously, when the river rises, many low'lying homes; businesses, tribal cultural and " agriculturar resources are at risk of flooding. The Missouri River Basin Association recommen that m comunities develop and enforce reasonable zoning and floodplain regulations :that will .control development within'the floodplain and protect the high banks: ■ The Corps should deter = A The Corps_ should provide exchange, fhe affected land - mine the specific effect each high bank protection for the owners-will be encouraged to . - change to its Master Manual identified high priority areas in voluntarily grant easements for will -have on agriculture. the river reaches between the a wildlife corridor between the reservoirs. The Corps can use \ `high banks in these areas., - ■ _ The Corps should- convene a the same committee represent - Again, voluntary sloughing ' meeting of local bank stabiliza-: ing navigation fish and wild- easements may be-appropriate . fion groups, tribes and other life, and- agricultural interests to for some areas in this reach of landowners to determine -high help the -Corps determine, the 'the river: priority-= primarily agricultural f most appropriate engineering areas.to protect. practices to achieve both high E The Corps should. under- bank protection and habitat take a study to determine how ■ Protection of productive improvements. In sonie:.cases it . much sediment in the. indi- farmlan d and other uses of the maybe appropriate; fortle , vidual reservoirs comes from a) floodplain is important and Corps to purchase from land- the river's banks, b) tributaries, " justifies -bank stabilization . owners the right to allow some and c) bed degradation. Such a activities, particularly if these lands to slough into the rivex. studywould help the Corps ' efforts also provide environ- determine where it should mental benefits. Therefore, ! i. The Corps should also -work focus its erosion control efforts. Congress. should direct the with the National ParjcService- Also,- the Corps - should investi- Corps to include bank stabi -iza- to provide high bank protection gate the feasibility of prevent-, tion into presentation of the in the Missouri National Recre ing further_bed degradation Missouri River system's opera ational River stretch between _below all of-the-mainstem dams ' tion and.maintenance budget. Yankton; SD and Ponca, NE. -In and below Ponca, Nebraska -to 9