Recent Press Releases

Washington, D.C. — 

U.S. Senators John Thune (R-S.D.), Kent Conrad (D-N.D.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Tim Johnson (D-S.D.), and Jon Tester (D-Mont.) today sent a letter to Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and Ranking Member James Inhofe (R-Okla.). In their letter, the Senators urge Senators Boxer and Inhofe to promptly schedule a committee oversight hearing regarding the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ plans to restrict access to Missouri River water and to charge users for water taken from Missouri River reservoirs.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’, which manages water flow from the six dams on the Missouri River, recently proposed a change that would institute a fee for gaining access to water in Missouri River reservoirs. Senators Thune, Conrad, Hoeven, Johnson, and Tester have concerns that the Corps’ actions contradict state water law, historical and legal precedent, and would have negative impacts on individuals, tribes, businesses, and water systems in Montana and the Dakotas.

Text of the Senators’ letter follows:

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The Honorable Barbara Boxer                                          
Chairman
Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works
410 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510                                                                            

The Honorable James Inhofe
Ranking Member 
Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works 
456 Dirksen Senate Office Building 
Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear Chairman Boxer and Ranking Member Inhofe:                                                     

We write to request an oversight hearing of the Environment and Public Works Committee regarding the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ plans to restrict access to Missouri River water and to charge users for water taken from Missouri River reservoirs. 

As you know, the Corps operates six large dams on the Missouri River, and manages water flows from the reservoirs created by these dams.  These reservoirs flooded prime bottom land, changing the landscape of our states forever.  In exchange for the creation of these reservoirs, our states were promised the ability to utilize these water resources to meet various needs. 

Until recently, users have been able to gain access to water in the Missouri River main stem system through an easement application process and associated permits, an approach that is suited to the circumstances of the Missouri River and the needs of the upper basin states.  The easement application and permitting process that was in place prior to 2008 respected the rights of Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota water users in terms of access to the Missouri River.   

The Corps is now contemplating a major change that would restrict access to surplus water from the Missouri River and to charge a fee for water drawn from the reservoirs.   Under the Corps’ proposal, users would have to enter into multiyear purchase contracts with the Corps.  While we understand that the Corps is proceeding under a national effort to standardize the allocation of reservoir water, we believe that the Corps’ proposal is contrary to unique legal and historical precedents as it relates to the circumstances surrounding the main stem dam system on the Missouri River that was established pursuant to the 1944 Flood Control Act.  Therefore, we ask that the scope of our requested hearing include a review of the unique legal and historical precedents surrounding the Corps’ efforts in this regard.  To better understand the legal and historical precedents, we ask that the committee invite Assistant Secretary Jo-Ellen Darcy to testify, as well as South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley, North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem, witnesses representing tribal leadership, and other relevant witnesses from impacted states.

Access to Missouri River water is essential to expanding the economic base in Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota, where productive farms, businesses, tribes, and municipalities rely on the Missouri River for their livelihood.  We believe that charging for the storage and utilization of the Missouri River water would be contrary to legal and historical precedents and would have negative impacts on individuals, tribes, businesses, and water systems in Montana and the Dakotas. 

Thank you for consideration of this request.  We look forward to continuing to work with you on these issues and stand ready to participate in such a hearing at the appropriate time this year.

Sincerely,

Senator John Thune
Senator Kent Conrad
Senator John Hoeven
Senator Tim Johnson
Senator Jon Tester