Legislation to build new 1,200-foot locks and improve the environment for the Upper Mississippi River Basin (UMRB) was introduced yesterday, Thursday, May 20. Upgrading locks and dams is a top policy priority for the 25,000 members of the American Soybean Association because 75 percent of U.S. soybean exports are shipped down the Mississippi River to customers worldwide. The legislation authorizes construction to replace 70 year-old locks. The bill also approves the implementation of a Corps plan to improve the river system’s ecosystem.

"This as a major step forward following 12 years of work with the Corps and Congress," said ASA President Ron Heck, a soybean producer from Perry, Iowa. "The Mississippi and Illinois River systems are a major advantage for U.S. soybean producers when competing for overseas markets."

Senators Kit Bond (R-MO), Tom Harkin (D-IA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Charles Grassley (R-IA), Peter Fitzgerald (R-IL), Jim Talent (R-MO), Mark Pryor (D-AR) and Norm Coleman R-MN) introduced the legislation to provide lock construction authorization to replace seven locks on the Upper Mississippi and Illinois Waterway costing about $1.6 billion (50% cost-shared) along with $1.6 billion in ecosystem restoration for the Upper Mississippi.

"This monumental legislation took three months to develop and negotiate, and is reflective of the 15-year plan the Corps has recommended as well," Heck said. "We applaud the authors of this measure for their leadership and look forward to working with them to include it in the Water Resources Development Act of 2004."

The bill follows the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers release of its draft plan to enhance navigation along the Upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. Among other things, the Corps’ plan calls for new 1,200-foot locks.

The Corps’ draft navigation plan will be the subject of another round of public hearings beginning June 7th, in Davenport, IA and concluding on June 17th, in Washington, D.C. The exact dates and locations are as follows: June 7, Davenport, Iowa; June 8, Dubuque, Iowa; June 9, LaCrosse, Wis.; June 10, Bloomington, Minn.; June 14, Peoria, Ill.; June 15, Quincy, Ill.; June 16, St. Louis, Mo.; and June 17, Washington, D.C. Public comments can also be e-mailed to: DraftNavRptComments@usace.army.mil. For additional details about the hearings go to www.soygrowers.com/policy/hearings0604.htm. The ASA strongly encourages its members to participate in these hearings and register their support for the Corps’ draft plan.

The legislation follows a two-phased approach where seven key lock and dam locations (#20-25 on the Mississippi River, and Peoria & LaGrange on the Illinois Waterway) were selected for immediate pre-engineering design in preparation for 1,200-foot lock chambers. Five other locations will receive extensions to existing chambers, and other non-structural efforts will occur at other locations. Of the $2.4 billion total cost for infrastructure improvements, half will be paid by shippers through the Inland Waterway Trust Fund, with federal funding for the balance. Ecosystem restoration’s initial measures are budgeted at $5.3 billion and will be primarily federally funded.

"This legislation is clearly beneficial for everyone," Heck said. "Efficiently moving bulk commodity products on the river helps the U.S. economy grow, and helps farmers compete for overseas markets."