Brigadier General Hannan Meets Tribal Leaders to Discuss Missouri River Management

The recent meeting in Fort Pierre, South Dakota, between Brigadier General William C. Hannan, Jr., the new U.S. Army Corps of Engineers district commander, and tribal officials highlighted the importance of tribal input in managing the Missouri River.

Hannan, who oversees operations for the Corps’ Northwestern Division, engaged in discussions with tribal leaders about their concerns, including invasive zebra mussels and erosion caused by fluctuating water levels, which have exposed ancestral graves.

Faith Spotted Eagle from the Yankton Sioux Tribe encouraged Hannan to meet with a broader range of tribal representatives to gather diverse perspectives.

Hannan, who took over his role in June and previously commanded the Transatlantic Division, expressed his willingness to continue these conversations and emphasized the need for actionable items in future meetings.

Tribal officials, including Crow Creek Tribal President Peter Lengkeek and Standing Rock Sioux Tribe water administrator Doug CrowGhost, voiced their desire for more proactive consultation from the Corps when developing the river’s annual operating plan.

They suggested creating a list of concerns and priorities to present to Hannan in advance, allowing for more productive discussions.

During the meeting, the Corps officials reported that 77% of the Missouri River basin is experiencing drought conditions, which will impact management strategies for the upcoming fish spawning season in Lake Oahe and Fort Peck Reservoir.

Hannan’s commitment to ongoing dialogue and collaboration with tribal leaders marks a significant step toward addressing the concerns of Indigenous communities in river management.