This week, Illinois Congressman Aaron Schock was joined by over 60 members of Congress who expressed concerns to the US Army Corps of  Engineers about the Mississippi River.  The Corps plans to halt releases of water from the Upper Missouri River on or around November 22, which will seriously jeopardize water levels and make normal barge transportation almost impossible between St. Louis, MO and Cairo, IL.  This is part of the Corps annual operating plan, but the low water levels this belies the need to modify the plan to ensure continued barge traffic.  The Congressman are asking the Corps, the USDA, the Dept of Energy and the USDOT get behind a plan to expedite the removal of rock pinnacles at Grand Tower, IL and Thebes, IL.  Immediate removal of the rock will allow barges to continue to operate in the lower water levels being experienced in the MS river. 
 

IFCA was just one of many ag groups from around the US who reached out to our elected officials to ask them to convince the US Army Corps and the Obama administration to be flexible in their plans and do what is necessary to ensure that the river remains a viable transportation channel.  The Fertilizer Institute estimates that nearly 500,000 tons of fertilzer intended for spring application moves up the MS during the winter, making this a critical issue for our industry along with many other industries.  Illinois congressmen who signed the letter include Aaron Schock (who organized the effort), Tim Johnson, Bobby Schilling, Adam Kinzinger, John Shimkus, Jerry Costello, Peter Roskam, Don Manzullo, Bob Dold, Randy Hultgren, Judy Biggert, Danny Davis, Dan Lipinski and Bobby Rush.  Illinois was certainly well represented by rural and urban Congressman on the letter and IFCA expresses its appreciation to all of them for their efforts on behalf of agriculture and all industries that rely on the river transportation system.  We will  keep you posted.