Ricketts Meets with Army Corps for Missouri River Flood Control Update

Senator discusses ways to improve flood response and efficiency of projects along the river.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 1:03am

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A serene, cinematic painting depicting a lone sandbag barrier along the banks of the Missouri River, with warm sunlight casting deep shadows across the scene, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation around the complex issues of flood management.As officials work to improve flood control along the Missouri River, a solitary sandbag barrier stands as a reminder of the ongoing challenges in balancing environmental concerns with public safety.Omaha Today

Senator Pete Ricketts met with the Army Corps of Engineers in Omaha, Nebraska to discuss flood control and management along the Missouri River. The discussion focused on improving the efficiency and responsiveness of flood control projects, as well as addressing Ricketts' past criticisms of the Corps' practices that he believes prioritize environmental compliance over protecting life and property.

Why it matters

The Missouri River has seen devastating floods in recent years, causing loss of life and billions in damage. Improving flood control and response along the river is critical for protecting communities and property in Nebraska and surrounding states.

The details

During the roundtable discussion, Ricketts and Army Corps Assistant Secretary Adam Telle were joined by various organizations with interests along the Missouri River. They talked about ways to make flood control projects more efficient, including potential legislative changes to the permit process that would allow work to move forward if a permit has not been granted within 120 days. Ricketts has previously criticized a 2004 amendment to the Corps' flood control practices that he says elevated environmental compliance to the same level as protecting life and property.

  • The meeting took place on Thursday, April 10, 2026 in Omaha, Nebraska.

The players

Pete Ricketts

A U.S. Senator representing Nebraska who has been critical of the Army Corps of Engineers' flood control practices along the Missouri River.

Adam Telle

The Assistant Secretary of the Army Corps of Engineers who led the roundtable discussion with Senator Ricketts.

Papio Missouri River NRD

A natural resources district in Nebraska with interests along the Missouri River.

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What they’re saying

“This is where some of the things we were talking about today, whether it's the permitting reform or the priorities for protecting life and property on the Missouri River, that's where we can take that and put it into law through that, what we call WRDA, the Water Resources Development Act.”

— Pete Ricketts, U.S. Senator

What’s next

Ricketts plans to propose legislation that would allow work on Army Corps structures to move ahead if a permit has not been granted within 120 days, in an effort to improve the efficiency of flood control projects.

The takeaway

Senator Ricketts' meeting with the Army Corps highlights the ongoing challenges and debates around flood management along the Missouri River, as officials work to balance environmental concerns with the need to protect lives and property in the face of increasingly severe weather events.