News

Window closing on WRDA

The Soy Transportation Coalition says they are hopeful the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) can be passed by the U.S. House this week.

Soy Transportation Coalition Executive Director Mike Steenhoek tells Brownfield the window of opportunity to pass WRDA is rapidly diminishing.  “A water resources development act is one of those few that there was hope that it could be achieved this year, so we were very optimistic when we saw the Senate passage last week by such a bipartisan number.”

Steenhoek says if there were a catastrophic failure at an inland lock, the ripple effects would be felt across the country.  “It really can have a major impact on our nation’s rail ability to absorb that, our roads and bridges.” He says, “The alternative modes of transportation do not have the capacity to absorb what is transported on our inland waterways system.”

He says movement on the WRDA bill is appreciated by the industry, but it is not at the finish line.  Once authorized, appropriations committees will need to approve funding for prioritized projects and initiatives which hasn’t happened in the multiple years that the bill has passed Congress.

AUDIO: Interview with Mike Steenhoek