NCGA’s Guenther
Advocates Modernization of Locks on Mississippi and Illinois
Rivers
(8-20-04)
Congestion on the upper Mississippi and Illinois rivers caused
by antiquated locks not only affects U.S. farmers, but also consumers
and businesses, National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) member
Greg Guenther told the Mississippi River Commission today.
The commission, which is in the midst of its annual low-water
inspection tour of the Mississippi River, stopped in Alton, Ill.,
today to meet with stakeholders interested in future management
of the river. The seven-member commission is traveling down the
river on the Army Corps of Engineers motor vessel Mississippi,
the largest working towboat on the inland waterways.
Among other issues,
Guenther described the impact of efficient transportation systems
on international trade. “As a nation,
we need to be in a position to service the growing market place
in a timely, cost efficient manner,” said Guenther, who is
a member of NCGA’s Production and Stewardship Action Team. “Agricultural
exports are a large plus on the balance of the trade ledger, and
building the proposed seven new locks along with the other improvements
outlined in the preferred alternative will greatly enhance our
ability to do this.”
Guenther said an efficient river transportation system allows
U.S. farmers to use low-cost methods to move their crops to market.
But shippers incur added expense due to congestion on the rivers,
and that expense is often absorbed by farmers.
“Ten or 12 cents a bushel in added cost doesn’t seem
like much, but if you keep in mind that for every penny increase
in cost, the small to average size farm family loses $1,000 in
income,” he said. ”And pennies matter to farm families.”
Guenther also reiterated
NCGA’s support for the Corps’ preferred
alternative, a plan that not only addresses improvements in navigation
that are vital to a healthy economy in the Midwest, but also calls
for environmental restoration of the river system. However, Guenther
said environmental restoration projects should not interfere with
navigation.
“The ability to move commodities on our river systems is
a major reason we enjoy economic prosperity here in the Midwest,” said
Guenther. “While the ecology of the river system is important
and deserves protection and even enhancement, without the economic
benefits of utilizing the river for commerce, there would be no
resources available to make those improvements. Only affluent societies
can afford an environmental conscience and the ability to transport
commodities on the rivers is a major contributor to that affluence.”
Guenther also spoke about the management of the Missouri River,
noting more than 40 percent of the flow between St. Louis and Cairo,
Ill., on the Mississippi comes from the Missouri River and that
the Missouri needs to be managed in a way that balances transportation
uses with environmental concerns.
“Placing more emphasis on environmental management right
now is inconsistent with the primary mission of the Corps,” said
Guenther. “The mitigation measures in place have allowed
the species to proliferate while maintaining navigation efficiencies
on both the Upper Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. It is disappointing
to see the Corps of Engineers change what has been working very
well to a plan that endangers efficient navigation on the Mississippi
River and virtually eliminates navigation on the Missouri River.”
According to Guenther, the decline in Missouri River navigation
has forced commercial barge companies off river, causing dramatic
increases railroads rates.
The river inspection trip and public hearings will continue through
Aug. 27 with stops at the City Front in New Madrid, Mo.; Memphis;
and Greenville, Miss. The tour ends at the Cenac Towing Co. Dock
in Houma, La.
To read Guenther’s full testimony, please click on the following
link.