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Environmental
Benefits of Improving
the Upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers
Barge
transportation is the most efficient, environmentally friendly, and
safest means of moving bulk commodities. Here are the facts:
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One
gallon of fuel in a towboat can carry one ton of freight 2.5 times
farther than rail and 9 times farther than truck.
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The
lock and dam system directly supports recreation, the environment,
and municipalities. The dams create backwaters and side channels
which support habitat, recreation areas, and municipal water supplies.
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Each
barge load diverted off of the Upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers
is replaced by 15 rail cars or 58 semi trucks. Diversions away from
the river increase delays at rail crossings, congestion on highways,
and wear and tear on roadways.
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Increasing
existing lock capacity will decrease lock delays, leading to further
reductions in air emissions from towboats and lower sediment suspension
in the river channel.
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According
to the EPA, towboats emit 35-60% fewer pollutants than locomotives
or trucks. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers data suggests the Nation
currently saves $100-300 million in air pollution abatements, by
moving bulk commodities by barge on the Upper Mississippi River
system. More barge traffic means more savings.
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Minnesota Department of Transportation estimates shifting from barge
to rail results in fuel usage, emmisions, and probable accident
increases of 331%, 470% and 290%, respectively. Shifting traffic
from barge to trucks increases fuel use 826%, emmisions 709% and
probable accidents 5,967%. In addition, another 1,333 heavy trucks
would be added to already congested highways.
Lack
of competition from U.S. producers is encouraging 77 million acres of
virgin land to be converted to agricultural production in South America.
The long term impacts are reduced farm income, an increased foreign
trade imbalance, and an unprecedented loss of global environmental habitat.
Economic
Benefits of Improving
the Upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers
Last
reveiwed May 10, 2004
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