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A new Web site asks for signatures against a levee-raising proposal on the Mississippi River.
The site is www.lowerlands.com. It was set up by a Lincoln County resident and deals with Plan H, a proposal that calls for raising all but about 20 of the 140 levees along the upper part of the waterway to 500-year flood levels last seen in 1993.
Opponents say most of the 20 levees that would not be heightened are in Pike and Lincoln counties. Supporters say revisions that address the concerns can be made.
The proposal to “improve some levees while leaving others alone” would “put some communities at greater risk of flooding,” the Web site reads.
Viewers who click on the petition part find a message that asks federal lawmakers to “recognize the costly impact” that opponents claim could include “greater flood risk upon livestock, homes, farms and businesses.”
“Protecting some communities should not jeopardize the lives in other communities,” according to the site. “If all levees are not improved, we prefer that none be improved.”
Federal endorsement of the plan is being sought. But because of a funding drought, local levee districts likely would have to foot most of the bill for any work.
Opponents fear that Pike, Lincoln and St. Charles counties will become what Pike County Presiding Commissioner Dan Miller has called “a dumping ground” for water during floods if levee districts to the north are allowed to upgrade and berms in the three counties are not improved.
Mike Klingner is a Quincy engineer and member of the Upper Mississippi, Illinois and Missouri Rivers Association, which backs Plan H.
“The intent of Plan H is that nobody is in worse shape than they are now and to give levee districts the opportunity to improve,” Klingner said.
Plan H was one of several proposals that were considered over the last 15 years. The association originally backed a plan that would have raised all levees, but Klingner said studies showed it was economically impossible.
“No plan will suit everybody’s needs” but Plan H offers the “best framework to move forward,” Klingner said.
Opponents say the association is being unrealistic if it believes studies that say higher levees to the north won’t cause more severe flooding in places where berms are left alone.
“Why should we be graced with that water more than anyone else?” asked Pike County Clerk Bob Kirkpatrick. “It doesn’t make any sense. “
Opponents aren’t convinced by assurances that revisions can be made, and say more studies should be done.
Klingner said differences can be worked out, but that a plan needs to be put into place before another devastating flood hits the Midwest.
Kirkpatrick and other Plan H opponents agree, but want the promises backed up with a flood-control measure that doesn’t leave them all wet.
“I’m looking for action,” Kirkpatrick said. “If your words match your actions, then I’m a believer. But if it’s words, it’s just words. Words are cheap. Let’s see some action.”
A new Web site asks for signatures against a levee-raising proposal on the Mississippi River.
The site is www.lowerlands.com. It was set up by a Lincoln County resident and deals with Plan H, a proposal that calls for raising all but about 20 of the 140 levees along the upper part of the waterway to 500-year flood levels last seen in 1993.
Opponents say most of the 20 levees that would not be heightened are in Pike and Lincoln counties. Supporters say revisions that address the concerns can be made.
The proposal to “improve some levees while leaving others alone” would “put some communities at greater risk of flooding,” the Web site reads.
Viewers who click on the petition part find a message that asks federal lawmakers to “recognize the costly impact” that opponents claim could include “greater flood risk upon livestock, homes, farms and businesses.”
“Protecting some communities should not jeopardize the lives in other communities,” according to the site. “If all levees are not improved, we prefer that none be improved.”
Federal endorsement of the plan is being sought. But because of a funding drought, local levee districts likely would have to foot most of the bill for any work.
Opponents fear that Pike, Lincoln and St. Charles counties will become what Pike County Presiding Commissioner Dan Miller has called “a dumping ground” for water during floods if levee districts to the north are allowed to upgrade and berms in the three counties are not improved.
Mike Klingner is a Quincy engineer and member of the Upper Mississippi, Illinois and Missouri Rivers Association, which backs Plan H.
“The intent of Plan H is that nobody is in worse shape than they are now and to give levee districts the opportunity to improve,” Klingner said.
Plan H was one of several proposals that were considered over the last 15 years. The association originally backed a plan that would have raised all levees, but Klingner said studies showed it was economically impossible.
“No plan will suit everybody’s needs” but Plan H offers the “best framework to move forward,” Klingner said.
Opponents say the association is being unrealistic if it believes studies that say higher levees to the north won’t cause more severe flooding in places where berms are left alone.
“Why should we be graced with that water more than anyone else?” asked Pike County Clerk Bob Kirkpatrick. “It doesn’t make any sense. “
Opponents aren’t convinced by assurances that revisions can be made, and say more studies should be done.
Klingner said differences can be worked out, but that a plan needs to be put into place before another devastating flood hits the Midwest.
Kirkpatrick and other Plan H opponents agree, but want the promises backed up with a flood-control measure that doesn’t leave them all wet.
“I’m looking for action,” Kirkpatrick said. “If your words match your actions, then I’m a believer. But if it’s words, it’s just words. Words are cheap. Let’s see some action.”
