New Lock and Dam Start Expected in FY21

July 15, 2020
A boat is being lifted into the water by a crane

This week, the House Appropriations Committee approved a FY21 budget for Energy and Water Development that would include funding for one new project for inland waterways lock and dam modernization. This signals the potential for a new start in the Upper Mississippi River Basin in FY21.

 

The approved budget funds the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers $7.63 billion, a decrease of $21 million from FY20’s record-setting appropriated level, but $1.7 billion above the President’s FY21 budget request.

 

The Inland Waterways Trust Fund funding level is $90 million for a total of at least $180 million in funding for Construction and Major Rehabilitation of inland waterways projects.

New Cost Structure

The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure voted the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (WRDA 2020) favorably out of Committee. The bill adjusts the cost-share for construction and major rehabilitation of inland waterways projects. Previously the cost-share was 50 percent from the general fund of the Treasury and 50 percent from the Inland Waterways Trust Fund. Now the cost-share moves to 65 percent from the general fund of the Treasury and 35 percent from the Inland Waterways Trust Fund.

 

The cost-share shift is a top priority for IL Corn.


Illinois Lock Closure Update

The Illinois Waterway Consolidated Lock Closures are officially underway! July 1, the first miter gates were pulled at Starved Rock Lock and Dam in Ottawa, Illinois. Both the upper and lower miter gates will be replaced at Starved Rock during the closure.

 

Justin Moore headshot
By Tara Desmond July 23, 2025
Meet Justin Moore a staff member at IL Corn.
washington dc photo
By Lindsay Croke July 17, 2025
“If such language is included in the policy recommendations, it could significantly hamper the work of America’s farmers and raise prices on consumers without providing any additional layer of safety for the American public,” the letter said. “If the pesticides in the original report were to disappear completely, crop
FFA students at USDA
By Lyndi Allen July 17, 2025
IL Corn leaders met with lawmakers in Washington, D.C. to discuss key ag priorities like trade, conservation, ethanol, and lock and dam infrastructure, while mentoring the next generation of advocates from Illinois FFA.
corn
By Lydia Rogers July 14, 2025
Debunking Myths
headshot of Shelby Watson
By Tara Desmond July 14, 2025
We recently caught up with Shelby Watson following the announcement of her promotion to Director, The Americas & Allied Industry Programs at USAPEEC. In her expanded role, Shelby is taking on new responsibilities across Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean.
Crops destroyed by storm
By Lyndi Allen July 10, 2025
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released the new Supplemental Disaster Relief Program, providing assistance to farmers with crop losses due to natural disasters in 2023 and 2024.
Show More