Governor Matt Blunt is calling on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to cancel the spring rise which may occur this week. The spring rise is a controlled flooding of some of the Missouri river, in order to protect the Pallid Sturgeon, an endangered specie.

The Pallid Sturgeon is native to the Missouri River. It evolved over millions of years and adapted to the pre-development water conditions. But because the ecosystem has been altered by human developments, the population of the Pallid Sturgeon is on the decline. In 1990, the Sturgeon was listed as an endangered species.

Construction of dams and other regulation of water flow impedes that natural spring peak runoff. Scientists with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife believe that the loss of spring runoff is one of the key factors contributing to the decline of the Sturgeon.

In order to mimic pre-developmental increases in water levels, every spring the U.S. Army Corps releases extra water to encourage spawning by the Pallid Sturgeon.

A spring rise on top of current flooding, could hurt farmers across mid-Missouri.

"It postpones planting and causes issues getting fertilizer and getting crop in the ground and getting things going right," said Bob Stuenkel, MFA General Manager.

Governor Blunt's spokesperson Nanci Gonder says the government understands farmers' concerns.

"Governor Blunt is very concerned about how spring risings could harm our state with possible flooding. Certainly there are farmers who could be impacted by flooding and we've been concerned," said Gonder. 

Stuenkel sees agriculture and farming as a priority.

"Being more than worried about the environment as far as the fish, the Pallid Sturgeon, anyway, the bird, I think it's more important to eat," said Stuenkel.

While the spring rise is intended to help the endangered Pallid Sturgeon spawn, Gonder says it should not be a concern. Farmers and agri-businessmen like Stuenkel hope the governor can stop the spring rise and save their spring.

Governor Blunt wrote to the Corps of Engineers asking it to cancel this weeks' spring rise. But at this point the Corps hasn't replied.