Lock and Dam Legislation
Following the March 2011 ICGA visit to Washington, DC, reports indicate that there is only a minimal possibility for the passage of a Water Resources Development Act bill in 2011 or 2012. Still, the Illinois Corn Growers Association (with its partners, the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and the Waterways Council, Inc) continue to advocate for their Capitol Development Plan.
The Capitol Development Plan is an outline of projects that need to be completed along the Mississippi River System that includes a prioritization of those projects and an increase in the Barge User Fee that allows industry to partner with the Federal government to pay for the upgrades. Read more about the Capitol Development Plan here.
Also, following President Obama’s mention of waterway infrastructure improvements as a way to get America back to work, several waterway advocates sent a letter to the Illinois Congressional delegation urging action on lock and dam upgrading funding. Read our joint letter here.
FACT SHEETS:
OLMSTED LOCKS AND DAM PROJECT NEEDS RE-EVALUATION
GOVERNMENT AND INDUSTRY CAN PARTNER TO FIX OUR BROKEN INLAND WATERWAY TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM