By TIM ALEXANDER
Illinois Correspondent

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA; HR1495) was passed overwhelmingly by the U.S. House of Representatives April 19.

The bill, which provides for modernization of locks and dams on the upper Mississippi and Illinois rivers, was passed by a vote of 394-25 after being stalled in Congress for more than seven years.

“Corn growers have worked tirelessly for more than a decade to see this legislation become a reality,” said Ken McCauley, president of the American Corn Growers Assoc. “An updated water transportation system is urgently needed to ensure U.S. farmers can efficiently move their crops to market and stay competitive in the international marketplace.”
American Soybean Assoc. president Rick Ostlie agreed.

“House passage of (WRDA) is a critical step forward in the battle for much-needed improvements on the Mississippi and Illinois waterways,” Ostlie commented. “With over 75 percent of U.S. soybean exports moving to world ports via the upper Mississippi and Illinois River systems, modern and efficient waterways and ports are essential to our economic well-being and international competitiveness.”

According to the ASA, ports and waterways contribute $718 billion to the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP) while ensuring domestic and international trading opportunities and safe, low-cost eco-friendly transportation. More than 400,000 Americans are employed in the navigation industry, including more than 90,000 in high-paying manufacturing jobs.

“While U.S. waterways remain the most economical and environmentally friendly way to move soybeans to foreign and domestic markets, over 50 percent of our locks and dams have aged beyond their life cycle and many are crumbling,” Ostlie said. “Many are unable to handle today’s barges that are twice as long as when the system was built in the 1930s.

“Many barges must be split and sent through in two separate sections causing delays which result in higher transportation costs, lower commodity prices and fewer international sales for U.S. farmers.”

WRDA calls for seven new 1,200 foot-wide locks to replace current ones, which span only 600 feet, and would create a new ecosystem restoration project that would enhance the natural resources of the region.

The Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee previously had approved its WRDA bill, which also includes lock and dam modernization and an ecosystem restoration plan. EPW Committee chairwoman Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) said the Senate could vote on the bill before its May recess.

Citing budget concerns, the Bush administration urged House lawmakers on April 18 to reject its version of WRDA, arguing the bill’s passage would mean millions of dollars in new spending.

Bush had previously indicated he would sign the bill if passed by Congress. The good news is that the administration stopped short of indicating it would veto the bill if passed, according to the Illinois Corn Growers Assoc. (ICGA).

“This is not a nickel-and-dime project,” said Steve Ruh, ICGA president. “This legislation addresses water development and infrastructure projects nationwide. Corn may go down the river, but consumer goods like coal and building materials move upriver, and we depend on this system more than most people know.”

Ruh said the project’s current price tag is a result of lengthy delays in passage of the bill.

“Our organization has been promoting updates on our river system for 14 years and we haven’t had a WRDA in place since 2000. A functional, diverse and efficient transportation system is essential to our lifestyles and every commercial enterprise in the U.S.”

WRDA shared broad congressional support last year, but stalled out before Congress adjourned for reasons never fully explained.

“ASA will continue to push for Senate passage and a final bill before the end of this congressional session,” Ostlie remarked. “The future of our country depends on a modern, efficient and environmentally friendly maritime transportation system. We owe it to our children to ensure them an economically and environmentally sustainable future.”