• It has been a hot, dry

year in South Dakota. The drought-stricken landscape and the loss of crops, hay, and pastures have made this a challenging year for farmers, ranchers, and communities across South Dakota. Even certain areas of the state that experienced excess rainfall in 2011 suffered from lower than normal rainfall this year.
• The drought-induced low water levels of the Missouri mean that less water is available to be released from the Missouri River, which eventually flows into the Mississippi River in St. Louis. The trickle-down effect of diminished water flows has caused economic losses for businesses along the Mississippi due to reduced barge traffic. I understand and appreciate the economic challenges faced by the businesses along the Mississippi River; however, some lawmakers and groups have recently issued requests for the president to make an emergency declaration that would allow the Corps to deviate from the Missouri River Master Manuel. The Corps'

Master Control Manual governs the Corps' management of the Missouri River and doesn't take into consideration the impacts of barge traffic on the Mississippi River. If the president complies with this unprecedented request, precious water would be released from the Missouri River reservoirs to aid navigation on the Mississippi River. Under existing law, such actions are not permitted by

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