Locks and dams matter.
Improving the Illinois, Mississippi, and Ohio River system has been an Illinois Corn Growers Association priority for over 20 years. Waterways infrastructure gives Illinois farmers and other Illinois industries a competitive advantage over other states in transportation of grain and other agricultural products. However, in the last 50 years, these locks and dams have become dilapidated and outdated. The crumbling lock and dam system costs Illinois corn farmers every day in lost efficiency getting their product to global marketplaces.
Improving our lock and dam system NOW is critical not only for Illinois farmers but also for all Illinois citizens, for our country, and for our world.
Ensuring Cleaner Air: Inland waterways transport generates fewer emissions than rail or truck. The emission comparison between inland towing, rail and truck transportation shows that fewer air pollutants are generated by moving products on American’s inland navigation system.
Saving Energy: Transporting freight by water is the most energy-efficient choice. The most energy-efficient way to move commodities such as coal, grain, iron, steel, aggregates, petroleum and chemical products is to use the nation’s navigable rivers. Barges can move one ton of cargo 576 miles per gallon of fuel. A rail car would move the same ton of cargo 413 miles, and a truck only 155 miles.
Protecting Communities: Inland waterways transport moves hazardous materials safely. All transport modes work hard to prevent accidents, human errors and other causes of spills, including groundings in the case of barge transportation. Overall, spill rates are very low – with trucks losing only 6.06 gallons per one million ton-miles, rail cars only 3.86 gallons and barges 3.6 gallons per one million ton-miles.
Major Policy Change Makes Lock and Dam Upgrades More Likely
Today, the Senate Environment & Public Works (EPW) Committee passed America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2020 (AWIA). The bill included within it the Committee’s version of the Water Resources...
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$4.5 Million Awarded for NESP
The Navigation and Ecosystem Restoration Program (NESP) received $4.5 million dollars in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 2020 work plan. This funding would allow the expansion and modernization...
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ANTICIPATED FUNDING FOR LOCKS AND DAMS
On December 17, just three days before short-term Continuing Resolution (C.R.) funding for the Federal government was to expire, the House passed the FY20 Energy and Water Development (E&WD) and...
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UNLOCKING POTENTIAL
Locks and dams on the MIssissippi and Illinois Rivers need improvement. The Illinois Corn Growers Association (ICGA) has made obtaining funding for the project a legislative priority for well...
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RIVER TRANSPORTATION IS UNRELIABLE AND PRECARIOUS DUE TO FLOODING
According to the Russell Marine Group, a logistical coordination company working on the rivers, the inland waterway transportation system and everything within is stressed and upside down, with...
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FIND OUT MORE ABOUT IMPACTS OF SIGNIFICANT RAIN IN ILLINOIS TO EXPORTS
Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue believes that U.S. farmers will see an immediate response from China regarding commodity purchases once a free trade agreement is signed. Additionally, USDA...
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HEAR FROM WCI CHAIRMAN ON THE 2019 PRIORITIES FOR LOCKS AND DAMS
Peter H. Stephaich is Chairman and CEO of Blue Danube Incorporated and Campbell Transportation Company. Currently, he is also Chairman of the Board of the Waterways Council, Inc. (WCI). WCI is...
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WATERWAYS COUNCIL INC ADDRESSED BY SEC PERDUE IN WASHINGTON DC THIS WEEK
The Waterways Council Inc (WCI) is holding a national conference this week in Washington, D.C. On the agenda is an address by Secretary of Ag Sonny Perdue and by officials from the Army Corps of...
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SENATOR TAMMY DUCKWORTH TO RECEIVE WCI LEADERSHIP SERVICE AWARD
U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth will receive the Waterway Council Inc’s (WCI) 18th Annual Leadership Service Award on Tuesday evening, February 12, 2019, at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington,...
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ILLINOIS RIVER WILL CLOSE TO TRAFFIC IN 2020
The Illinois Waterway, which provides a navigable connection between Lake Michigan and the Mississippi River, includes eight lock and dam sites which are long overdue for significant repairs. In...
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SENATE CLEARS WRDA 2018 BILL, HEADS NEXT TO PRESIDENT
The Senate approved America's Water Infrastructure Act, which includes the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2018 this week by a vote of 99 to 1. S. 3021 authorizes Corps of Engineers'...
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CRITICAL WATERWAYS LEGISLATION PASSED THE HOUSE
House and Senate committee leaders reached a bipartisan, bicameral agreement on 2018 Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) legislation earlier this week, known as the America’s Water...
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WE ARE OLMSTED - LOCK AND DAM OPENS
Thanks to Jim Tarmann for this editorial on Olmsted’s first historic lockage. Last week on August 30, 2018, after more than 30 years in the making, we cut the ribbon for one of the largest...
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LOCKS AND DAMS ARE STILL CRUMBLING AND WE’RE STILL TRYING TO GET THEM FIXED
Last week, leadership from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and leadership from IL Corn and American Commercial Barge visited LaGrange Lock and Dam. The dam was built in the 1930s for 50 years of...
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JOURNALISTS LEARN ABOUT NEED FOR LOCKS AND DAMS
At the end of June, the Institute for Journalism & Natural Resources took a group of journalists on a tour of the Mississippi River. They wanted to understand the issues impacting climate and...
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REPS. DAVIS, LAHOOD ANNOUNCE FUNDING FOR LAGRANGE LOCK
This week, the House of Representatives approved the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2018 that authorizes Corps of Engineer’s work on locks and dams, dredging and other water resources...
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MODERNIZE OUR LOCKS AND DAMS
For years (and years, and years, and years) we have asked for the funds to modernize our inland waterway transportation system. For years, our government has failed to appropriate the funds...
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BUSTOS AND DAVIS VOICE STRONG SUPPORT FOR UPGRADED LOCKS AND DAMS
During yesterday’s Transportation and Infrastructure Committee hearing in Washington, DC, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos and Congressman Rodney Davis reminded the Army Corps of Engineers (ACE) that...
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PERDUE: RURAL AMERICA WILL SEE MAJOR BENEFITS FROM INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN
An op-ed by US Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue concerning the recently proposed infrastructure plan by the Trump Administration. Originally published by Des Moines Register...
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WHITE HOUSE BUDGET TROUBLESOME FOR WATERWAYS IMPROVEMENTS
The Waterways Council, Inc. (WCI), is expressing worry that the President’s budget request is inadequate for waterways infrastructure improvement needs, running contrary to what Mr. Trump had...
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