BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Now that the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) has been approved, the way has been cleared for the construction of seven new locks on the Illinois and upper Mississippi rivers.

Agriculture leaders say the new, wider locks will benefit Midwest ag commodity producers along with manufacturers and shippers of other goods that rely on the waterways to transport items to global markets.

But Congress’ override last week of President Bush’s veto of WRDA is just a permission slip to seek funding through the annual federal appropriations process, said Ron Litterer, president of the National Corn Growers Assoc. “The real work now begins with a full-court press to obtain construction dollars through (appropriations).”

Mark Lambert, communications director for the Illinois Corn Growers Assoc. (ICGA), agreed and said the appropriations process would not be easy.

“However, we all hope it won’t be as protracted as the authorization phase,” he explained. “I think the groundwork already done regarding educating elected officials could help jump-start the process.” Even if the appropriations process goes smoothly, it could be a couple of years before work starts to modernize seven locks on the rivers.

“The budgeting process is too far gone this year, so it is most likely we will start laying a foundation for appropriations in 2008 for the 2009 budget,” said Lambert.

“I think it is a testament to the dogged determination of Illinois growers that they sunk their teeth into this issue more than a decade ago and our membership has not let go.”

ICGA President Steve Ruh said the next step is for corn growers to work with elected officials to secure appropriations and ensure that lock improvements and environmental restoration components meaningful to Illinois are funded.

“Modern and efficient locks and river transportation are critical to our ability to export Illinois products to the world, so this is great news for our economy,” Ruh said.

“Congress recognized we have not had a WRDA bill in seven years and this legislation reflects necessary, fiscally responsible investments in projects that are vital to Illinois farmers and consumers.

“This bill will facilitate economic development, provide ecosystem restoration and act as a catalyst for the entire Midwestern economy.” The ICGA noted that America’s inland navigation system plays a critical role in the U.S. economy, moving more than a billion tons of domestic commerce valued at more than $300 billion each year.

To back up the value of these waterways, more than 1 billion bushels of grain – approximately 60 percent of all grain exports – move to export markets via the inland waterways each year, accounting for $8.5 billion in exports.