U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley says it’s time for long-term solutions to prevent flooding along the Missouri River. Many reaches of the Missouri River below Gavins Point dam have experienced flooding since early March.

President Trump recently authorized billions of dollars in disaster relief for flood victims in a disaster aid package passed by Congress. Meanwhile, in an Omaha World-Herald editorial, Senator Grassley says it’s time to change how the Missouri River is operated. Grassley says changes need to be made to the Army Corps of Engineers Master Manual, which the Corps follows in managing the river. From 1979 until the changes in 2004, the Master Manual stated the top priority was flood control.

Changes to the manual since 2004 required the Corps to balance the purposes of the river. Since then, Grassley contends “there has been a dramatic increase” in flooding. Grassley has cosponsored the Army Corps of Engineers Flood Control Civilian Advisory Council Act, which would advise the Corps and Congress on river management changes.