Congresswoman Tours Missouri River Repairs
By: Robert Lowrey
Updated: May 2, 2012
"I've never done class on the river before but we got updated on what work they're doing on the levee," said Rep. Lynn Jenkins, KS-02.
Congresswoman Jenkins and the Army Corps of Engineers toured the river from St. Joseph to Atchison, Kansas offering a view at the challenges in flood recovery.
"When there was flooding going on, we were on the other side of the levees and viewing the flooding from that side," said Jenkins. "So it's a unique perspective to see the challenges these folks are up against."
Flood waters extending up these rocks and beyond have members of Congress wanting to get more involved with flood recovery. With the waters receded, they can now get a behind the scenes look at the repairs.
"It's a different perspective for most people, said Jud Kneuvean, chief of emergency management with the Corps. "A lot of folks haven't been on the Missouri River. It's an opportunity to get the Congressional delegation on the river and explain our programs to them."
A challenge the Army Corps of Engineers has been facing heavily.
Giving a guided tour to a member of Congress can help with the lessons learned from the flood.
"It's a lot of education, a lot of dialogue," said Kneuvean. "We have to sit down with them and be more open with them about what we're doing. Be more transparent."



