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APNewsBreak: Mont. gov backs out of flood meeting

NewsCentral Staff

Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer says he has refused to sign a letter circulated among Missouri River governors that will ask federal officials to make flood prevention a top river-management priority.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer says he has refused to sign a letter circulated among Missouri River governors that will ask federal officials to make flood prevention a top river-management priority.

Schweitzer told The Associated Press on Friday he's frustrated that downriver governors want to focus solely on flood mitigation and navigation, at the expense of recreation, wildlife and other needs that help Montana's economy.

Schweitzer was scheduled to meet with governors and representatives from the seven other Missouri River states Friday in Omaha. He says he decided not to attend on Thursday, partly because of ongoing Montana forest fires and partly because he feels the meeting was tilted in favor of downriver states.

Schweitzer says he also objected to the decision to close the meeting to the press.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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