By Jacque Day
Cairo, Ill. – Illinois Lieutenant Governor Sheila Simon is defending the idea of intentionally breaching a Missouri levee to reduce flooding in Cairo. Missouri officials object to the plan, saying it would endanger 130,000 acres of prime farmland. State of Missouri officials announced today they'll sue the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Simon told The Associated Press that farmers will be compensated for their losses and will be able to use the land next year. On the other hand, flooding could devastate the poor town of Cairo. She noted an Illinois levee was intentionally breached during 1993 flooding. Simon also says the Army Corps of Engineers would not break the Birds Point levee until water had already topped the levee. The Corps of Engineers says it will put off a decision until at least Wednesday.