Congressman Jason Smith Visits Bois Brule Bottoms
Federal Regulations Highlighted as Biggest Concern
Perry County, MO – Yesterday, county officials joined Don Welge near his soybean field in the Bois Brule Bottoms to welcome Congressman Smith. The group thanked Smith for the work he’s done in helping to fight and repeal many of the cumbersome government regulations that make it more difficult for farmers and small business owners to make a living.
“We talked about the way so many of the policies enacted by the Obama administration strangle the productivity of our farms and our small businesses,” said Smith. “I told them I would continue to work to strike down such regulations as the Waters of the United States, which expands the definition of what waterways can be controlled by the federal government.”
Specifically, the group expressed its desire for the Corps of Engineers to quickly repair the levee breach in Ste. Genevieve County at Levee District #2, the Farmers’ Levee. The breach happened during flooding in late December, but repairs are far from complete.
“The Farmers' Levee helps to protect the farmland and businesses in the river bottoms by keeping pressure off of the Bois Brule levee. It also helps protect Highway 51 and the bridge to Illinois, which is essential for transportation of goods and a means for hundreds of people to get to work,” said Smith. “I just called on the Corps to release the funds to start the repairs and expressed to the Corps Commander how important that levee is and how it protects millions of dollars in farmland, homes, business, transportation and so much more. The repairs need to be underway now.”
Congressman Smith is spending two weeks visiting different farming operations throughout southeast and south central Missouri. He will cover nearly 3,000 miles while crisscrossing all 30 counties in Missouri’s 8th District. In addition to hearing directly from the families and farmers about the operations they are running, the farm tour will also highlight the diversity, importance and prominence of agriculture in Missouri’s 8th Congressional District.
