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Jun 11, 2020
ASA and several soy states signed onto a letter with other ag groups last week urging the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to support changing the cost-share ratio for Inland Waterway Trust Fund (IWTF) projects from 50% general funds and 50% IWTF to 75%-25% in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) legislation.
“The strength of America’s farm economy relies on the efficiency of its inland waterways system,” the groups state in the letter. “If Congress maintains the current status quo of investment in inland waterways infrastructure, delays along the system will continue to grow, and will lead to a diversion of cargo to more costly and less fuel-efficient modes of transport.”
The U.S. inland waterways system includes nearly 12,000 miles of navigable inland waterways. In addition, hundreds of aging locks and dams—the vast majority exceeding their originally-engineered 50-year lifespans—are integral to continuing the movement of commerce like U.S. soybeans.
ASA emphasizes that Congress must continue to prioritize and make increased investments in inland waterways infrastructure to ensure the competitiveness of U.S. soy growers. The inland waterways system is the most cost-efficient mode of transporting agriculture and agriculture-related products. Read the full letter here.
