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Illinois Soybean Association says WRDA action needed

The director of governmental affairs with the Illinois Soybean Association says Congress needs to act on the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) soon.

Andrew Larson says it’s one of several issues awaiting action in the upcoming lame duck session.

“There’s been a version of it passed by the Senate and a version passed by the House. Those two versions are a little bit different,” he says.

He tells Brownfield the primary difference in the bills is a funding issue.

“Unfortunately, with that aging infrastructure, some of those funds are outpacing the amount of funds that are potentially available through the Inland Waterways Trust Fund.” He says, “If we could get a further 75/25 cost share from the current 65/35 cost share, it would really help make sure we can accelerate project development.”

Larson says the legislation is vital to continued updates on the inland waterway system.

“It’s really a critical competitive advantage we have as a state and region over other parts of the world,” he says, “and it’s something where we want to continue to make sure that we are improving and repairing this 100-year-old infrastructure.”

Larson says locks at La Grange and Peoria on the Illinois River are the next targeted for new 1200-foot upgrades in the Navigation Ecosystem Sustainability Partnership if Congress allocates funding.  Lock and Dam 25 on the Mississippi River is currently undergoing the first upgrade funded in the program. 

AUDIO: Andrew Larson – Illinois Soybean Association