SierraScape September 2013 - February 2014
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by Caroline Pufalt
Conservation Chair
Missouri Chapter

We thought it was defeated, but the New Madrid/St John's Bayou project is back and threatening to close the last remaining connection between Mississippi River and its floodplain in our entire state. This project is in two parts. One part is credible, a modest proposal in southeastern Missouri's St John's Bayou area where towns such as East Prairie would benefit from storm water drainage improvements.

The second part is the zombie project, a plan to close a one quarter mile opening in the levee system which is the remaining link to nourish fields and wetlands. This gap is a key element of the New Madrid Floodway, a designated relief area for floodwaters that was used in 2011 to prevent flooding of Cairo, IL.

A few farmers in the area, who have been farming successfully for many years with conditions as they are, have lobbied for closure of this opening. At direct risk are at least 1,098 acres of wetlands fed by the opening. Missouri has already lost 88% of its pre settlement wetlands, which are critical habitat for fish and wildlife, and we cannot afford to lose more.

This project was initiated back in 2002, but was cut short by a US District Court ruling in 2007 which found significant error in the Army Corps of Engineers' estimation of wetland loss and an inadequate plan for mitigation. Citizens who value wetlands and wildlife and a sensible balance of uses were relieved and hoped this project was defunct. But last year it was resurrected by Senator Blunt.

This project to close the last remaining link between the river and floodplain is still a bad idea. In addition to the loss of wetlands the project, increases flood risk in the surrounding area, especially in neighboring Illinois. It's a costly and unnecessary project.

The current project is little changed from the prior version. It still breaks the connection between river and floodplain. Such connectivity is vital to maintaining healthy and sustained river fisheries as well as waterfowl. The Corps has proposed mitigation to wetlands loss, but the proposed mitigations would not restore the lost connection between river and floodplain.

To see the full project: www.mvm.usace.army.mil/Missions/Projects/StJohnsBayouandNewMadridFloodwayProject.aspx.

Send comments by September 6th to:
  Mr. Danny Ward
  Project Management Branch
  167 N. Main, Room B-202
  Memphis, TN 38103-1894
or email comments to daniel.d.ward@usace.army.mil