 |
Home | Search | Browse | About IPO | Staff | Links |
|
Home | Search | Browse | About IPO | Staff | Links |
|
ILLINOIS COMMENTARY
Why the delay in upgrading our 70-year-old lock and dam system on the Upper Mississippi? Why has nothing been done to prevent another flooding disaster like the great flood of 1993 ? Will the Mississippi follow the same fate as the Missouri River — losing dependable navigation? In case you have not noticed, we are engaged in war. No, I'm not talking about Iraq. I'm talking about the water war inside our own country. A serious conflict exists between extremist environmental organizations and those of us who live and work in the Midwest. These environmental groups perceive no benefit from an efficient inland waterway system. We in the Midwest see significant benefit, both environmentally and economically, from river improvements. The debate of local benefits versus national or general benefits is nothing new. In an 1848 speech before the U.S. House of Representatives, Illinois Congressman Abraham Lincoln addressed the controversy of "general" improvements for "local" or partial benefits. The "most general object I can think of would be the improvements on the Mississippi River and its tributaries," he said. "Nothing is so local as not to be of some general benefit....The driving a pirate from the tract of commerce on the broad ocean, and the removing a snag from its more narrow path in the Mississippi, can not, I think, be distinguished in principal. Each is done to save life and property." From a Midwesterner perspective, these improvements should include not only the transportation network, but also improvements for flood control, recreation, wildlife and the promotion of economic development. In Europe, most environmental groups support inland waterways as a means to reduce truck traffic and the related air pollution. In this country, just the opposite is true. Ironically, these American environmental organizations often support worthwhile environmental projects, but by preventing economic growth, they eliminate the ability of the federal government to foot the bill. The result is that nothing moves forward. To provide some guidance on how to best move forward, numerous businesses and individuals pooled funds to hire Delft Hydraulics, an international water resource engineering firm. The effort was coordinated by the Upper Mississippi, Illinois and Missouri Rivers Association (UMIMRA). In short, their recommendation was to address the main issues: navigation, flood control and the environment in a more comprehensive manner. The Delft Report pointed out how we can improve our navigation system and flood control in concert with environmental improvements. The work of UMIMRA initiated the Comprehensive Plan in the Water Resource Development Act (WRDA-99, Section 459). Solutions are within reach, subject to adequate funding by Congress. The Navigation Study is to be completed later this year. Initial public hearings indicate extremely strong support for alternative #6. This navigation alternative would improve the five dams from St. Louis up to Keokuk, Iowa adding new 1,200-foot locks, as well as the Illinois River locks at LaGrange and Peoria. The five existing 600-foot locks between Keokuk to just north of Rock Island would be extended to 1,200 feet. The Navigation Plan includes significant environmental alternatives and funding levels. The comprehensive plan to address systemic flood protection is to be completed early next year. Therefore, within the next year, a tremendous opportunity exists to improve navigation, flood control and the environment. Become part of the solution and help us work for positive change. More information can be obtained by contacting UMIMRA at (217) 522-4109, or www.UMlMRA.org.
4 ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING www.icl.coop |
|
|
