Farm Compliance

Washington, DC - The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) joins key business, labor and environmental organizations in request of funding for locks and dams in the 2009 Stimulus Package. The letters were sent today to Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Minority Leader John Boehner, Majority Leader Harry Reid and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell expressing support for renovation and construction of locks and dams on the inland waterways system of the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers.

The allocated funds would have an economic impact by creating more than 60,000 jobs for channel deepening, navigation channel improvements, widening of tributaries and maintenance on the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. Long term benefits would include a more secure waterway system, allowing greater barge capacity on the rivers and higher fuel efficiency by eliminating ground transportation.

NCGA successfully lobbied for the authorization of these locks and dams projects in the 2007 Water Resources Development Act. A funding source for construction is the next critical step for these projects to become a reality.

Organizations that have signed the letter include: