Thursday, December 6, 2012

Drought is causing "water wars" in the US; water transport at risk

The 2012 US drought has created "water wars", pitting Mississippi River transport business (barge operators and shipping groups) against the Missouri river water users (who use water for "drinking, irrigation, agriculture, industrial purposes and power production").
Stratfor: - Mississippi River barge operators and shipping groups asked U.S. President Barack Obama and the Federal Emergency Management Agency on Nov. 27 to declare a state of emergency on the Mississippi River. The low river levels are thought to be caused by the drought and the congressionally directed project by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to reduce the flow of the Missouri River. Numerous government representatives made similar requests throughout November. Representatives from Missouri River basin states have said increasing the flow of the Missouri is unlawful and have submitted an opposing request to deny the declaration of a state of emergency.


Source: Stratfor


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