BLOOMINGTON, ILL., -- Illinois Soybean Growers (ISG) says the Water Resource Reform and Development Act (WRRDA) just approved by Congress is a positive step toward helping the U.S. inland waterway system remain competitive for U.S. soybean and other ag exports. The legislation addresses increased funding for harbor maintenance, shifts in inland waterways trust fund spending, and streamlined practices for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
"Throughout this process, Illinois soybean farmers worked with legislators to make sure our views were included in crafting the WRRDA bill," says Bill Raben, soybean farmer from Ridgway, Ill., and ISA chairman. "Now that we have the strategy for the inland waterway system in place, Congress needs to follow through with appropriations. We are hopeful that process will be consistent with recommendations prescribed in the WRRDA conference report."
Senators Dick Durbin and Mark Kirk and Representatives Cheri Bustos and Rodney Davis were instrumental in assuring key provisions to help speed up repairs and upgrades to the aging locks and dams on the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers were included in the conference report.
The Water Infrastructure Now Public-Private Partnership Act was introduced last year by the four lawmakers, and also was later cosponsored by Illinois Representatives Bill Enyart, John Shimkus and Mike Quigley. The act creates a pilot program that allows the Army Corps of Engineers to explore agreements with private entities as alternatives to traditional financing, planning, design and construction models. Previously authorized navigation, flood damage reduction and hurricane and storm damage reduction projects will be considered for participation in the pilot program.