Missouri Governor Jay Nixon announced Friday that $3.3 million dollars in Community Development Block Grants to assist seven levee districts along the Missouri River with the cost of repairing flood-damaged levees.

Nixon made the announcement on a silt-covered farm field near the Rushville/Sugar Creek levee. That levee will soon be moved about 500 feet east, because there is no longer any foundation left on which to rebuild at the current location.

Nixon said before the flooding started that the state would be there.

“I said at that time that we would do everything within our power to make sure that we not only fight the flood, and we worked to protect property and safety, but also that we were going to be there to rebuild,” Nixon said.

“Today is a solid, tangible step in that direction, and we look forward to continuing to provide whatever resources are available to make sure that this important land, and these important towns, and businesses, churches and others are protected, and we will continue to do that,” Nixon said.

Owners of that family farm are donating a significant parcel of land to accomplish the move, which will then protect the rest of their crop land.

About two dozen second graders from Rushville Elementary School attended the announcement.

Teacher Rhonda Reddick says they came out to see the governor and to learn about government.

“We just started learning about government, at the local, the state and the national level, Reddick said, “and what better opportunity to have this chance to come and experience our governor, and engage in this active learning process.”

“So we had to take advantage of this.”

The grant money will be used to pay the 20% local match on federal funding earmarked for the levee repairs. That 20% has to be paid up front before repair and replacement of the levees can begin.

Eleven levee districts have applied for the grants. One of them withdrew from the process. Of the remaining ten applicants, Gov. Nixon announced seven that are being awarded grants. The remaining three applications are still pending approval, but are expected to be awarded their requested funds after the approval process is complete. The seven recipients announced Friday are:

§ The Bean Lake Levee Association, which protects approximately 7,250 acres of land in Platte County that includes more than $116 million worth of structures; dozens of miles of highway, rail, bridges and roads; an electrical power plant; and 421 acres within Little Bean Marsh Wildlife Reserve. The association will receive a community development block grant of $224,000.

§ The Big Tarkio Drainage District which protects the communities of Craig and Bigelow and more than 20,000 acres of prime farm land in Holt County. Interstate 29 and the Burlington Northern-Santa Fe Railroad line, along with numerous county and state routes, lie within the area protected by this district. The district is not part of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers maintenance program, and the $667,317 in CDBG funds represents nearly the entire cost of rebuilding its levee system.

§ The Corning Levee District protects the area between the Big Tarkio River and Mill Creek Drainage District. As part of this levee system, the district helps protect a number of assets in Holt County, including the city of Craig, the Burlington Northern-Santa Fe Railroad line, Interstate 29 and numerous county and state highways, including Missouri 111. This district also is not part of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers maintenance program, and the $1,220,707 in CDBG funding represents nearly the entire cost of rebuilding of the levees there.

§ Holt Levee District #10 is a crucial component of the Holt County levee system and sustained 16 breaches during last year’s flooding. The district, located in the central part of the county, protects the cities of Craig and Big Lake, the Burlington Northern-Santa Fe Railroad line, Interstate 29 and numerous county and state routes. The district also protects approximately 15,000 acres of prime farmland, along with many homes and farmsteads. Holt Levee District #10 will receive $484,571 in community development block grants.

§ The Rushville-Sugar Lake Levee Association protects 7,000 acres of productive farm land. Additionally, this levee protects the Louis and Clark State Park, and a portion of US 59, which supports an average of 9,500 daily motorists. The association will receive $349,992 in community development block grants.

§ The Union Township Levee District, which is a mainline levee and the first line of defense for much of northwestern Holt County. The levee protects the low-lying communities of Craig and Big Lake, Big Lake State Park, and the Burlington Northern-Santa Fe Railroad line. Interstate 29 and several Missouri state routes are also protected by the district, along with thousands of acres of fertile farm land. The district will receive $197,355 in CDBG funding.

§ The Wakenda Levee District, which protects 22,900 acres of prime farm land, dozens of homes, and several businesses in Carroll County. This levee district also protects an airport, 14 miles of railroad track, more than 80 miles of roads and four highway routes. The Wakenda Levee District will receive $172,983 in community development block grants.