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Iowa
Transportation Letter
May 8, 2002
The Honorable John
Duncan
Chairman
Subcommittee on Water Resources and the Environment
House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
B376 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Chairman Duncan:
As the House Transportation
and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment continues
drafting a Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) for 2002, we respectfully
request the bill include initial authorization for lock and dam modernization
and enhanced environmental restoration on the Upper Mississippi and
Illinois Rivers.
Modernizing the
inland waterway transportation system remains a high priority for the
states throughout the Upper Mississippi River basin and for agricultural
and commercial interests that rely on the river to transport their products.
In addition to strong grassroots support for this endeavor, the Iowa
Legislature recently passed a resolution endorsing lock and dam modernization
and Congressional action this year.
Agriculture and
related industries in our state remain competitive in world markets
even though their production costs are higher because of the efficiencies
inherent in river transport. More than 60 percent of all grain exports
move from the Upper Mississippi, making this competitive advantage vital
to their ability to operate their business. Without modernization, the
U.S. will not be able to compete in anticipated world grain export growth.
Furthermore, a recent study estimates the loss of 30,000 jobs nationwide,
$562 million annually in lost farm income, and $185 million annually
in lost state and local tax receipts if the lock and dam is not upgraded.
American farmers
are experiencing some of the worst financial conditions in recent memory.
Providing U.S. agricultural producers every opportunity to export their
products to world markets is essential for their financial well-being
and future viability.
After 10 years and
$60 million of study, we firmly believe that the time has come to take
action, and we urge you to support the initial authorization to begin
the modernization process. Without immediate action, the health of both
the agriculture economy and river ecosystems will continue to decline.
Thank you for your
consideration of this critically important issue.
Sincerely yours,
(signed)
Tom Latham (R)
Jim Nussle (R)
Greg Ganske (R)
Jim Leach (R)
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