FLOOD RECOVERY EFFORTS CONTINUE

An update on flood recovery efforts in western Iowa is on the agenda as the State Interagency Missouri River Authority meets Friday in Des Moines.

Chuck Gipp, deputy director of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, says the process of cleaning up all of the damage and rebuilding after last year's summer-long flood is far from over.

The authority makes recommendations on policies affecting the Missouri River.

Besides the DNR, groups involved include the state departments of Homeland Security and Agriculture as well as federal agencies, like FEMA and the U-S Army Corps of Engineers.

Gipp says making repairs to the damaged floodwalls all along the river is a high priority.

Gipp says much of the DNR's role is to help state and federal agencies coordinate during the recovery process.

He says the panel will also discuss current and potential hydrologist roles and responsibilities in the state.