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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NATIONAL CORN GROWERS ASSOCIATION
Rhondalee Dean-Royce, NCGA, 202-628-7001
Lock Modernization
Integral to Nation’s Economy
NCGA Supports Federal Legislation
(WASHINGTON) June 17, 2004 -- The National Corn Growers Association
(NCGA), its partners in the Midwest Area River Coalition (MARC 2000)
and key senators from states along the Mississippi River came together
today in a joint press conference touting the critical need for passage
of S. 2470, a bill that would modernize locks on the Mississippi and
Illinois rivers.
Sens. Kit Bond (R-Mo.), Jim Talent (R-Mo.), Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), Chuck
Grassley (R-Iowa), Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), Peter Fitzgerald (R-Ill.),
Norm Coleman (R-Minn.) and Mark Pryor (D-Ark.), a bipartisan group
representing the Mississippi River basin, introduced S. 2470 on May
20. The bill calls for navigation capacity improvements and a major
ecosystem restoration program for the upper Mississippi River and Illinois
Waterway.
The bill allocates $1.46 billion in funding, half of which will come
from the Inland Waterways Trust Fund, for construction of 1,200-foot
locks at Locks 20, 21, 22, 24 and 25 on the upper Mississippi and at
LaGrange and Peoria Locks on the Illinois Waterway. The legislation
also provides for immediate implementation of small-scale measures,
including mooring facilities at seven locks and switchboats at five
locks. The bill also provides $1.46 billion for ecosystem restoration.
“NCGA is very pleased that this was a bipartisan effort,” said
Illinois corn grower and NCGA member Greg Guenther. “Corn growers
believe modernizing locks is imperative so growers can meet the ever-expanding
opportunities presented by growing domestic and global demand for our
crop. New locks will help ensure we can transport our product to our
customers efficiently and effectively.”
“We are encouraged and look forward to working with these senators
in assuring this legislation is included in the Water Resources Development
Act of 2004,” continued Guenther.
All senators in
attendance echoed similar comments that modernization of locks along
the nation’s “Third Coast” is
absolutely critical to the U.S. economy, and that their legislation
means jobs
for Americans, efficiency in our modes of transportation and greater
protection and enhancement of the environment.
NCGA representatives
will make oral statements at the last of eight public hearings on
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
proposal at 4 p.m.
today at the Phoenix Park Hotel in Washington, D.C. The Corps released
its preferred alternative in May, calling for seven new locks, small-scale
measures and an ecosystem restoration plan. The Corps will issue a
Chief’s Report to present to Congress later this year.
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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