ST. LOUIS, April 19, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) hailed the overwhelming House passage of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) today as an important step in realizing the modernization of the locks and dams on the Upper Mississippi and Illinois rivers. The legislation, which authorizes projects for the Army Corps of Engineers, has been stalled in Congress for more than seven years.
The House voted 394-25 in favor of the project.
"Corn growers have worked tirelessly for more than a decade to see this legislation become a reality," said Ken McCauley, NCGA president. "An upgraded water transportation system is urgently needed to ensure U.S. farmers can efficiently move their crops to market and stay competitive in the international marketplace."
The bill also would create a new ecosystem restoration program for the Upper Mississippi River Basin that would significantly enhance the natural resources of the region.
The Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee considered and approved its WRDA bill, which also includes lock and dam modernization on the two rivers. The project authorization is based largely on what House and Senate staff had tentatively agreed to in staff conference discussions last year. EPW Committee Chairwoman Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) has said the Senate could vote on the bill before the May recess.
The White House opposes the House legislation, citing budgetary concerns. In a letter to Congress, the administration listed its opposition to numerous provisions of the bill. However, the statement was silent on the provision authorizing construction of the locks and dams on the upper Mississippi.
McCauley concluded, "We commend Chairman Oberstar and members of the House for taking the swift action necessary to re-invest in this nation's inland waterways infrastructure so producers and consumers can meet the ever-increasing demands of the global marketplace. It is unfortunate the administration does not recognize the importance of this bill to our nation's economy and security."