HOUSE OKS MONEY FOR FLOOD CONTROL

SUMMARY: The bill includes $1.5 million to strengthen the Commerce-Bird's Point Levee and $1.8 million for the Cape LaCroix flood control project.

By Mark Bliss

The U.S. House gave a boost to Southeast Missouri flood control projects Friday.

The House passed the Energy and Water Appropriations Act late Friday afternoon by a vote of 418 to 7.

Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, R-Cape Girardeau, voted for the bill.

The legislation includes:

-- $1.5 million to strengthen the levee from Commerce to Bird's Point.

-- $1.8 million for the continued construction of the Cape LaCroix flood control project in Cape Girardeau.

-- $3 million for initial construction of the St. John's-New Madrid floodway project.

-- $350,000 for engineering and design to relocate facilities inundated by annual flooding at Clearwater Lake.

-- Continued funding for Mississippi River ports at New Madrid, Caruthersville and Scott City, and flood control and recreational activities at Wappapello Lake.

The Senate passed similar legislation earlier this month, but differences in the two bills will have to be worked out before the legislation can be sent to President Clinton for his signature.

Emerson said, "Water resource issues touch the hearts and souls of nearly every southern Missourian and this bill has widespread benefits for folks here at home."

Emerson will attend to another levee matter today. She will tour the Bois Brule Levee in Perry County with members of the local levee district.

She is seeking funding to build a stronger levee to protect eastern Perry County from flooding.

In 1993, the levee broke, putting more than 26,000 acres under water. The flooding heavily damaged two major industries.

More than 100 families were displaced, and flooding from the rush of water closed portions of Highway 51, including the Chester Bridge that links Missouri and Illinois.

A feasibility study for a new levee is scheduled to be completed in December.

Meanwhile, Friday's House action sets the stage for funding of levee improvements in other areas of Southeast Missouri.

The New Madrid floodway project includes 27 miles of channelization, two pumping stations and a 1,500-foot levee closure in the St. John's area.

The Corps of Engineers plans to do the $48 million project in phases.

Emerson and Sen. Christopher "Kit" Bond, along with Southeast Missouri levee officials, had pushed for construction money to strengthen the Commerce-Bird's Point Levee in Scott and Mississippi counties.

They have said the 35-mile levee is a weak link in the federal system of levees that protects areas along the river from flooding.

The Commerce-Bird's Point Levee protects much of the Bootheel from flooding.

Lawmakers and levee officials said the levee has been weakened even further by federally funded improvements to the Len Small Levee on the Illinois side of the river.

If the Commerce-Bird's Point Levee fails, much of the Bootheel would be flooded, they said.

The House decision to fund levee improvements is good news to Larry Brazel, president of Scott County Levee District No. 2. The levee district includes 14 miles of the Commerce-Bird's Point Levee.