DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has taken the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to task for its handling of the Missouri River in a letter questioning its decision not to release more water from dams earlier in the spring to prevent prolonged flooding this summer.
The river is near historic flood levels along the more than 800 miles it stretches from the Gavins Point Dam in South Dakota to its confluence with the Mississippi River. More than 560,000 acres in seven states have flooded, including nearly 447,000 acres of farmland, Vilsack spokesman Justin DeJong said. The flooding followed unexpected spring rains and the melting of a deep snowpack in the Rocky Mountains.
Vilsack outlined his concerns in a three-page letter sent to Major Gen. Meredith W.B. Temple, the acting commander of the Corps, and obtained by The Associated Press. Although Vilsack said he wasn’t in a position to judge how the Corps handled its dams, he asked pointed questions about the agency’s decision not to release more water earlier and criticized it for not providing farmers and ranchers with more up-to-date information.
His comments add to a growing chorus of officials questioning the Corps’ handling of the situation. U.S. Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., announced Friday that a bipartisan group of 14 senators from Missouri River states has requested a Senate hearing on the Corps’ management of the river. Vilsack noted the Corps said in a March 3 report in the Omaha World-Herald that there was no need for early releases from the Gavins Point Dam and there would be little flooding unless the region received a lot of rain.
Corps spokeswoman Jasmine Chopra defended the agency’s management of the river, saying it released more water than usual from Missouri River dams last fall and during the winter and this year’s flooding was unprecedented. However, she also said the Corps will take another look at its response when the river recedes.

The Missouri is expected to remain near record flood stage into the fall.

(DES MOINES) – Gov. Terry Branstad has ordered all flags in Iowa be flown at half-staff beginning at 5 p.m. on Friday, July 8, 2011 until 8 a.m. on Monday, July 11, 2011 in honor of United States Army Captain Matthew Nielson, 27, formerly of Jefferson, Iowa. 

Capt. Nielson was killed in action on Contingency Operating Logistics base Shocker while deployed to Iraq for Operation New Dawn. Capt. Nielson was assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, U.S. Army, Fort Hood, Texas.

The Governor’s directive applies to all U.S. and state flags under the control of the state. H.R. 692, signed in 2007, requires federal government agencies in the state to comply with the Governor’s Executive Order that the U.S. flag be flown at half-staff in the event of the death of a member of the Armed Forces. 

Flags will be at half-staff on the State Capitol Building and on flag displays in the Capitol Complex, and upon all public buildings, grounds, and facilities throughout the state. Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties and other government subdivisions are encouraged to fly the flag at half-staff for the same length of time as a sign of respect.

MENLO -The city of Menlo in Guthrie County is investigating how a petroleum product entered its storm water system. A resident reported a diesel odor at the 350th Street bridge east of Pinewood Avenue, just south of Menlo, to the Guthrie County Conservation Board on Thursday. A DNR investigation found a plastic tile discharging water with a rainbow sheen and slight petroleum odor into a drainage ditch.

The tile line drains water from Menlo’s storm sewer. Unlike sanitary sewers, storm sewers do not receive any treatment before discharging into streams, rivers or lakes. The drainage ditch flows into an unnamed tributary of the North River.

The city is investigating possible sources of the fuel and has put absorbent material in the ditch to keep it from spreading. It is not known how much fuel may have entered the storm sewer.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) – U.S. Sen. John Thune says a bipartisan group of 14 senators in Missouri River states is requesting a Senate hearing to look into the Army Corps of Engineers management of the river before recent historic flooding. The South Dakota Republican says the group has sent a letter to the leadership of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee requesting a hearing. The letter was signed by senators from South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, Nebraska, Missouri, Kansas and Iowa.

The corps has been criticized for its management of Missouri River reservoirs in the Upper Midwest that have been swollen by heavy spring snowmelt and rains. Some dam releases have been at record levels. The corps has said the reservoirs were in good shape to handle spring runoff until record rains fell upstream in May.

Adrenaline pumping rides and high-powered motor sports are among the many attractions for you to enjoy during Westfair, July 26^th through the 31^st at the Pottawattamie County Fairgrounds near Council Bluffs. The family-friendly fair also features fashion shows and art.

Bryon Menke, Westfair Board President, says “From the traditional 4-H livestock shows to a wide variety of entertainment…there should be something for everyone.” The fair has taken place at the fairgrounds located two-miles east of I-80 on Highway Six, for more than 70-years.

Gates at Westfair are open Tuesday, July 26^th, through Sunday, July 31^st, from 8-a.m. to midnight. The cost of admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children ages 6-to-12. Children age 5 and under are admitted for free. Your gate admission fee includes entry to the Saturday night Chad Lee Band concert in the amphitheater.

Memberships to Westfair are also available. For more information, visit the fair’s website at www.westfairevents.com, or call Stacy Maddux at (402)-345-5401, ext. 111.