Gov. Jay Nixon was in Buchanan Co. today to announce more than $3.3 million to assist seven levee districts along the Missouri River.
The $3,316,925 in community development block grants will pay to repair and rebuild levees damaged by last year’s floods — the districts are in Buchanan, Carroll, Holt and Platte counties.
“Throughout the summer, levees in northwest Missouri that protect valuable farmland, homes and communities were damaged by historic flooding,” Nixon says. “Today, I’m pleased to announce that my administration is making more than $3.3 million available to help local communities meet their share of the costs associated with Army Corps of Engineers efforts to repair and rebuild these levees. Protecting valuable farmland, communities and vital infrastructure are critical priorities, and we are following through on our commitment to provide the resources to rebuild. This funding will ensure that communities and farmers have the protection they need to move forward.”
The levee districts to receive the funding include:
- The Bean Lake Levee Association, which protects approximately 7,250 acres of land in Platte County that includes more than $116 million worth of structures; dozens of miles of highway, rail, bridges and roads; an electrical power plant; and 421 acres within Little Bean Marsh Wildlife Reserve. The association will receive a community development block grant of $224,000.
- The Big Tarkio Drainage District which protects the communities of Craig and Bigelow and more than 20,000 acres of prime farm land in Holt County. Interstate 29 and the Burlington Northern-Santa Fe Railroad line, along with numerous county and state routes, lie within the area protected by this district. The district is not part of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers maintenance program, and the $667,317 in CDBG funds represents nearly the entire cost of rebuilding its levee system.
- The Corning Levee District protects the area between the Big Tarkio River and Mill Creek Drainage District. As part of this levee system, the district helps protect a number of assets in Holt County, including the city of Craig, the Burlington Northern-Santa Fe Railroad line, Interstate 29 and numerous county and state highways, including Missouri 111. This district also is not part of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers maintenance program, and the $1,220,707 in CDBG funding represents nearly the entire cost of rebuilding of the levees there.
- Holt Levee District #10 is a crucial component of the Holt County levee system and sustained 16 breaches during last year’s flooding. The district, located in the central part of the county, protects the cities of Craig and Big Lake, the Burlington Northern-Santa Fe Railroad line, Interstate 29 and numerous county and state routes. The district also protects approximately 15,000 acres of prime farmland, along with many homes and farmsteads. Holt Levee District #10 will receive $484,571 in community development block grants.
- The Rushville-Sugar Lake Levee Association protects 7,000 acres of productive farm land. Additionally, this levee protects the Louis and Clark State Park, and a portion of US 59, which supports an average of 9,500 daily motorists. The association will receive $349,992 in community development block grants.
- The Union Township Levee District, which is a mainline levee and the first line of defense for much of northwestern Holt County. The levee protects the low-lying communities of Craig and Big Lake, Big Lake State Park, and the Burlington Northern-Santa Fe Railroad line. Interstate 29 and several Missouri state routes are also protected by the district, along with thousands of acres of fertile farm land. The district will receive $197,355 in CDBG funding.
- The Wakenda Levee District, which protects 22,900 acres of prime farm land, dozens of homes, and several businesses in Carroll County. This levee district also protects an airport, 14 miles of railroad track, more than 80 miles of roads and four highway routes. The Wakenda Levee District will receive $172,983 in community development block grants.
Eleven levee districts applied for community development block grants to cover either the 20 percent local cost share required under the Army Corps of Engineers’ maintenance program, or for the entire cost if the levee district is not part of the Corps’ system. One of the districts withdrew its request because it was able to get full funding. Nixon says the remaining three applications are still pending approval, but are expected to be awarded their requested funds after the approval process is complete.
