FAYVILLE LEVEE GETS FEDERAL AID

OLIVE BRANCH, Ill. -- The Len Small Drainage and Levee District in Alexander County will receive federal help in repairing the breached Fayville levee, which flooded thousands of acres of farmland in July.

Greg Patton, vice president of the levee district, said this week that the Soil Conservation Services has agreed to provide 100 percent of the financing for repairs to the levee near Miller City. Agency representatives will visit the area next week to start planning.

The Army Corps of Engineers earlier refused to assist with the levee repair because the structure does not meet federal standards.

Meanwhile, levee officials expressed concerns about the northernmost portion of the 22-mile levee system. Last month the swirling waters of the Mississippi River eroded the levee.

The Corps provided 10 bargeloads of rock to reinforce the levee, but the river continues to flow against it and predictions of more rising water have prompted levee officials to ask the Corps to re-examine the levee.