NEWS - November 10, 2003
http://archive.columbiatribune.com/2003/Nov/20031105Comm001.asp
Waters, Henry J. III. “Commentary: River management: A perfect solution.” Columbia Daily Tribune, 5 November 2003.
As mighty political forces clash over management of water flows in the Missouri River, a perfect solution looms. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers proposes a plan under attack from all sides.
http://www.argusleader.com/news/Thursdayarticle2.shtml
Shouse, Ben. “Missouri review derided as politics.” Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 6 November 2003.
The Bush administration has ordered a second opinion on Missouri River management from a new team of biologists, provoking accusations that it is manipulating science to fit political needs.
Quaid Libby. “Administration pulls scientists off near-complete river project.” Billings Gazette, 6 November 2003.
The long-running dispute over management of the nation's longest river took another twist when the Bush administration yanked government scientists off a project to study the waterway's ecosystem.
*also appeared in the Omaha World Herald, 5 November 2003.
http://www.bismarcktribune.com/30dayarchives/11-6-2003/sta01.html
Scientists yanked off river project.” Bismark Tribune, 6 November 2003.
In a move that may block changes to the Missouri River's flow, the Bush administration yanked the government scientists who had ordered the switch off the years-long river project and is bringing in a new team.
*also appeared in the Jefferson City News Tribune, 6 November 2003.
*also appeared in the Omaha World Herald, 6 November 2003.
*also appeared in the Sioux City Journal, 6 November 2003.
*also appeared in the Yankton Press & Dakotan, 6 November 2003.
Lambrecht, Bill. “Government replaces biologists involved in Missouri River talks.” St. Louis Post Dispatch, 6 November 2003.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologists who for years pressed for controversial flow changes in the Missouri River are being removed from handling negotiations with the Army Corps of Engineers about future management of the river.
http://archive.columbiatribune.com/2003/Nov/20031106News006.asp
Flory, Josh. “Environmentalists decry change in river team.” Columbia Daily Tribune, 6 November 2003.
As bureaucratic wranglings over the Missouri River intensify, a federal agency that has called for flow changes is installing a new team of experts to oversee the issue.
http://www.bismarcktribune.com/30dayarchives/11-7-2003/nws02.html
Hinton, Richard. “River decision puzzles, angers state officials.” Bismark Tribune, 7 November 2003.
North Dakota officials were puzzled and angry Thursday over a decision to replace U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service scientists who had been studying the Missouri River and were on the threshold of releasing a final report that may have changed how the river is managed.
http://archive.columbiatribune.com/2003/Nov/20031107News014.asp
“Officials demand explanation of river panel change.” Columbia Daily Tribune, 7 November 2003.
North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem is demanding an explanation of why the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service replaced scientists on a Missouri River management review team shortly before they were to complete their report.
*also appeared in the Jefferson City News Tribune, 7 November 2003.
*also appeared in the Yankton Press & Dakotan, 7 November 2003.
http://www.grandforks.com/mld/grandforks/7203075.htm
“EDITORIAL: Poisonous partisanship.” Grand Forks Herald, 7 November 2003.
The administration yanked government scientists off a long-standing review of the Missouri River's ecosystem.
Brhel, Rita. “Missouri National Recreational River Celebrates 25 Years.” Yankton Press & Dakotan, 8 November 2003.
Two-hundred years ago, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark explored an unknown land by way of the Missouri River.
http://www.argusleader.com/news/Saturdayarticle3.shtml
Brokaw, Chet. “Walleye take lowered for '04 on 3 Missouri River reservoirs.” Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 8 November 2003.
Biologists said the walleye harvest on Lake Francis Case has been exceeding goals, so the daily limit needs to be reduced to three to prevent a population crash.
*also appeared in the Yankton Press & Dakotan, 8 November 2003.
http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?id=1&display=rednews/2003/11/09/build/state/45-missouri.inc
“Governors, Army corps to mull river issues.” Billings Gazette, 9 November 2003.
Gov. Mike Rounds conferred with two other governors and a top official of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, but he said no agreement has yet been reached on how to manage the Missouri River.
*also appeared in the Helena Independent Record, 9 November 2003.
*also appeared in the Kansas City Star, 9 November 2003.
*also appeared in the Yankton Press & Dakotan, 8 November 2003.
“Editorial: Missouri River, worse for the tern.” St. Louis Post Dispatch, 9 November 2003.
As purges go, this one has Stalinesque subtlety. The biologists being replaced had angered Missouri's influential Republican Sen. Christopher S. "Kit" Bond - not to mention barge companies, farm groups and state politicians - by insisting that keeping river levels high enough for year-round navigation means sacrificing endangered piping plovers and least terns that nest on sandbars.
“Corps studying hydro plant staffing.” Billings Gazette, 10 November 2003.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is considering passing control of six hydroelectric power plants along the Missouri River to a central location after normal working hours.
*also appeared in the Grand Forks Herald, 9 November 2003.
*also appeared in the Omaha World Herald, 9 November 2003.
*also appeared in the Sioux City Journal, 9 November 2003.
http://www.bismarcktribune.com/30dayarchives/11-5-2003/sta02.html
Donovan, Lauren. “Corps will extend water intake for Parshall.” Bismark Tribune, 10 November 2003.
"These problems only highlight the need for the corps to complete its long overdue revision of the Missouri River Master Manual," Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., said.
http://www.bismarcktribune.com/30dayarchives/11-8-2003/nws04.html
Hinton, Richard. “River timeline on track.” Bismark Tribune, 10 November 2003.
The timeline for a revised master manual for managing the Missouri River remains on track, Gov. John Hoeven said Friday.