By AP/KWMU
Washington, DC – The Army Corps of Engineers says it will lower water levels on the Missouri River for three days next week.
A federal judge had ordered reductions, but the corps said that would conflict with another judge's ruling which ordered higher levels.
But those cases were moved to Minnesota, and Judge Paul Magnuson says there is no conflict, meaning the order to lower levels remains.
Environmental groups want the water lowered to protect the nesting sites of endangered species. But business groups say that will make the river too shallow for barges, which run between Sioux City, Iowa and St. Louis.
Tuesday night the corps ordered barge-shippers to secure their vessels for low flows next week from Tuesday through Friday. A spokesman for the Justice Department says attorneys are discussing their next move.
Justice attorneys plan to ask Magnuson Wednesday to renew a stay of the order for less water.