COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa - The governors of three Midwest states ravaged by March flooding say they will pushing for more control over management of the Missouri River that borders their states.
Management of the dams and levees along the river falls to officials of the U.S Army Corps of Engineers, who met with Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts and Missouri Gov. Mike Parson for much of Wednesday afternoon in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
The three governors, all Republicans, questioned a shift by the Corps in 2004 to no longer prioritize flood control along the river over other goals, such as maintaining fish and wildlife habitat.
Asked whether the Corps indicated it would or could cede some river management decisions to the states, Parson replied, "Well, they listened."
The governors said they plan to work together for that change, even if it means petitioning Congress to give states more authority in river management.
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly has been slated to attend Wednesday's meeting, but ran into travel problems that required her to back out.
