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YANKTON, S.D. (AP) Construction will begin in spring on another 40 acres of Missouri River sandbar habitat for two birds that are on the Endangered Species List.

The sandbar habitat will be created upstream of Yankton near Niobrara, Neb.

The endangered interior least tern and the threatened piping plover use sandbars for nesting each summer.

The Corps of Engineers is required to provide habitat because the system of dams and the reservoirs has eliminated sandbars that were created naturally when the Missouri River was free flowing.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 10-19-09 0516CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list