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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more
information contact:
Mimi Ricketts,
NCGA Communications Director
(636) 733-9004
NCGA Urges
Congress to Approve Corps of Engineers Plan
ST. LOUIS (April
22, 2004) -- As a longtime proponent of lock modernization, the National
Corn Growers Association (NCGA) applauds the announcement this week
that the Army Corps of Engineers will seek congressional authorization
to upgrade a number of locks on the upper Mississippi and Illinois rivers.
NCGA urges Congress
to expeditiously approve the Corps’ plan for lock modernization
so that preconstruction engineering and design work for seven locks
can begin as soon as possible. After nearly 13 years of Corps studies
to determine the feasibility of infrastructure improvements on the rivers,
NCGA CEO Rick Tolman said it’s time for action.
“It’s
encouraging to see the study process finally coming to a close because
we don’t have any more time to lose,” said Tolman, who serves
as chairman of the Midwest Area River Coalition 2000. “It’s
time to get the ball rolling. It’s going to take at least 15 years
to upgrade these locks, so we’ve got to get started on this immediately.
A well-maintained, modern waterways system is essential if we are to
keep our footing in world grain markets.”
Tolman also called
upon the administration to back the Corps’ plan, stating, “We
encourage the president to strongly support upgrading the locks and
to help make this happen. This is an economic investment that will ensure
the United States continues to be a leader in world export markets,
and the long-term benefits far outweigh the costs.”
The Corps’
preferred navigation alternative calls for immediate implementation
of small-scale measures to alleviate lock congestion, authorization
to begin preconstruction engineering and design work, and authorization
to extend five 600-foot locks to 1,200 feet. The preferred alternative
is also expected to include a long-term plan for expansion of seven
additional locks, bringing the total number of improved locks to 12.
“We would
have preferred a plan that seeks immediate expansion of all the problem
locks on the upper Mississippi and Illinois,” Tolman said. “But
we are encouraged by the Corps’ preferred alternative and think
it’s certainly a step in the right direction.”
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The National Corn
Growers Association mission is to create and increase opportunities
for corn growers in a changing world and to enhance corn’s profitability
and usage. NCGA represents more than 33,000 members, 25 affiliated state
corn grower organizations and hundreds of thousands of growers who contribute
to state checkoff programs.
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