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What’s WRDA?

(May 13, 2005 column)

If you are involved in agriculture at any level, you are aware of the decade-long efforts by farmer groups and lawmakers to update the antiquated lock and dam system on the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers. During a recent trip to Washington, D.C., I sat down with Lisa Kelley, Director of Public Policy for National Corn Growers Association, to talk about the Water Resources Development Act.

It’s often referred to as WRDA (pronounced word-uh) but it’s officially the Water Resources Development Act. WRDA is a large piece of legislation that authorizes water projects nationwide, from San Francisco Bay to Maine to Arizona. As part of that, Kelley told me, “The upper Mississippi River has a dire need of modernization of it’s’ locks. As part of the Water Resources Development Act, we have an authorization to upgrade seven locks and dams along the upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers.”

The measure has been introduced and marked up in the Senate and has made great progress. It was introduced by Missouri Senator Kit Bond who has long championed this issue. Mark-up was April 13. The next step is floor consideration, which is not yet scheduled.

Introduction of this legislation is expected in the House later this month, with mark-up expected May 25. Kelley says, “What we see as an optimal is getting to conference sometime before August and getting this passed by September.”

This has been a long-awaited event. The effort to modernize the locks has been underway for at least 13 years. I asked Kelley if she thinks they have what it takes, the support it takes, to get it done.

“It has been a long time coming and through coalition building, we really are looking at an optimal time. We’ve got senators and members of congress from the Midwest educating those outside of the Corn Belt why it is important.”

Kelley explained that partnerships with Carpenters Union, chambers of commerce in each of the states involved, labor groups and local environmental groups have helped solidify a strong coalition really understanding and pushing for the legislation. The National Corn Growers Association has an educational effort underway for those who do not ship on the Mississippi River.

“They wonder why we need this,” said Kelley. “The price of corn that a farmer in Texas or Alabama or even Maryland receives is based on the price shipped via the Mississippi River going to export. So it is vital that we have low cost transportation.”

There are other issues in this bill, not affecting farmers in the Midwest that could derail the bill. As soon as floor time is available, WRDA should be before the Senate. If all goes well and the bill makes it to the President’s desk, Kelley is optimistic he will sign it, telling me there have been several strong commitments made by members of the President’s Cabinet and political appointees.
Once the bill is passed and signed by the President, the work does not end. Kelley says the next step will be working with appropriators to make sure there is proper funding for the next 15 to 20 years.

That is the abbreviated definition of the Water Resources Development Act. If you support it, may I suggest you contact your congressmen and let them know you’re keeping tabs on their work in Washington, D.C., as it impacts your livelihood back here in the Heartland.