July 26, 2006

Sebelius: Kansas to join new Missouri River association
Mike Hayden and David Pope to represent state water interests

Water from the Missouri River and its tributaries is an important regional asset, which is why Governor Kathleen Sebelius has joined governors from seven upper Midwest states and the president of a tribal water rights coalition in the creation of the Missouri River Association of States and Tribes. 

“Kansas will work with member states and 27 tribes to speak in a single, unified voice on Missouri River issues,” Sebelius said.  “This is an important event in the ongoing effort to protect and enhance the future of the Missouri River basin.”

The seven states in the Missouri River basin to be represented in the association are South Dakota, Wyoming, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota and Montana.  Tribes are represented by the Mni Sose’ Intertribal Water Rights Coalition.  An eighth state, Missouri, chose not to sign the resolution.

The states and tribes will represent non-federal fish and game agencies, tribal interests and water management agencies.  The association’s primary goal is to protect and enhance the future of the Missouri River basin by combining natural resource management, water resources, fish and wildlife, and consideration of the impacts to the economic, historical, cultural and social resources.

The association’s by-laws call for a board of directors made up of two representatives from each state and up to six tribal members.  Representatives are appointed by governors of the seven states; one each of from the state’s water management agency and from the fish and wildlife agency. 

Sebelius appointed Mike Hayden, secretary of the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, and David Pope, chief engineer of the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s division of water resources, to represent Kansas in the association.

“David and Mike have the background and expertise needed to advance Kansas’ point of view in the future management of the Missouri River,” Sebelius said.  “I have every confidence they will provide a balanced perspective as the association works to address concerns relating to the Missouri River and its ecosystem.”

Kansas has four tribes located in the Missouri River basin, and it ultimately is a decision of all the tribes in the basin who will serve on the board of directors.  The association’s by-laws state that representatives must be from separate tribes and that no more than four may be from the upper basin above the Gavins Point Dam in South Dakota.

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