On behalf of its 25,000 producer members, the American Soybean Association (ASA) today continued to express strong support for lock and dam improvements at a Mississippi River Caucus Hearing on Capitol Hill. Chaired by U.S. Congressmen Kenny Hulshof (R-MO) and Lane Evans (D-IL), the Caucus is a bi-partisan forum designed to address key federal issues impacting the Mississippi River Basin.

"ASA applauds the Mississippi River Caucus for highlighting the need to improve navigation along the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers," said ASA Chairman Dwain Ford, a soybean, corn, wheat and hog producer from Kinmundy, Illinois. "Modernizing this river system is a top ASA priority, and we thank Congressmen Hulshof and Evans for inviting us to participate in this important hearing."

The Caucus scheduled this hearing largely to address the Corps’ draft plan to improve navigation along the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. Unveiled in May, the Corps’ plan, which recommends new, 1,200-foot structures at locks and dams 20 through 25 on the Upper Mississippi River and the Peoria and LaGrange locks on the Illinois Rivers, and guide wall extensions at Mississippi River locks 14 through 18, is virtually identical to ASA polices regarding navigation improvements along these two great rivers.

"ASA wholeheartedly supports the draft plan and requests that its provisions be reflected in the final report that is submitted to Congress," Ford said. This was the message ASA delivered to the Corps during its recent round of public hearings that concluded in June.

On a related note, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee recently approved S. 2470. Introduced by Senators Kit Bond (R-MO), Tom Harkin (D-IA), Dick Durbin (D-IL) and others, this legislation virtually mirrors the Corps' draft plan.

"Soybean producers have had many advocates along the way on this issue, and ASA commends Representative Kenny Hulshof (R-MO) for his leadership in the House, and expresses appreciation to all House members who have worked tirelessly to advance the need to update locks and dams on the upper Mississippi River and Illinois River," concluded Ford.