Four members of the Illinois congressional delegation teaming up to introduce the Upper Mississippi River Levee Safety Act. The legislation aims to improve flood protection and prevent disasters along the Mississippi River says Congressman Eric Sorensen, who is co-sponsoring the measure along with Mary Miller, Darin LaHood, and Mike Bost.

This legislation will give local levee districts along the Upper Mississippi River more flexibility to maintain their systems and allow them to better prepare for future floods. 

Currently, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) policies restrict operators’ ability to adequately adjust levee height along the Mississippi River, making it difficult to respond to changes in rainfall conditions or flood frequency profiles.

The Upper Mississippi River Levee Safety Act is supported by the Upper Mississippi, Illinois & Missouri Rivers Association, Corn Belt Ports, and the Illinois Farm Bureau.