Mississippi River Management

General Information about the Mississippi River

President's Budget Requests Full Funding ($33.5 million) for EMP is Fiscal Year 2006
The President's Budget for Fiscal Year 2006 has now been released. Once again, due to much hard work and effort by stakeholders committed to environmentally responsible river management, the Administration has put the EMP in for full funding of $33.5 million. This is the third year that the EMP has been at or near this level of funding in the President's budget. However, the EMP has only been appropriated $19 million and $17.5 million in the last two years respectively. The final decision on what the funding for next year will be is up to a Congressional Appropriations Committee, but the President's Budget is a first step in the right direction. The EMP is listed as one of the top 9 Priority Projects within the Corps of Engineers Civil Works budget. Note: The Office of Management and Budget has directed that EMP be renamed in the FY06 budget to Upper Mississippi River Restoration (IL, IA, MN, MO, WI) and it can be found under that name on the 3rd page.

Congressman Kind (D-WI) will continue to lead the fight for full funding of the EMP, but he needs assistance from his colleagues up and down the river. Letters to other river legislators would help to show support for this important project. Congressman Dave Hobson is chair of the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee. Letters can be sent to his DC office: 2346 Rayburn HOB, Washington , DC 20002 and to your state senators.

Congressional Contacts can be found through this link.
2004 EMP Report to Congress Released December 2004

Study to Restore Ecosystem and Improve Navigation on Upper Mississippi River and Illinois Waterway Nears Completion
On September 28th, 2004, the US Army Corps of Engineers announced the release of it's Final Integrated Feasibility Report and Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for the UMR-IWW System Navigation Feasibility Study. The report is available online as a .PDF document (Click Here to open the report). The official USACE news release and summary of the report can also be viewed online. A National Research Council report offers both positive comments and areas of concern that along with state and other federal agency review will be used to develop the final Corps recommendation to be contained in the Chief of Engineers' report scheduled for November 2004. A Corps summary of the NRC Review as well as links for viewing Public Comments submitted during the Comment Period are available through the same web page. An independent summary of the NRC review can be viewed through the following link: Corps of Engineers Widens Scope of Mississippi-Illinois Waterway Study, But Models Remain Flawed and Ideas for Easing Barge Traffic Are Missing -National Academy of Sciences- 10/6/04

Environmental Management Program (EMP) Success Stories
The EMP has completed more than 40 projects since 1986, improving about 67,000 acres of fish and wildlife habitat on the Upper Mississippi River. This acheivement comes despite the fact that the EMP has never received the full funding reccommended by numerous president's budgets and legislative approvals. Projects currently waiting for funding would improve another 75,000 acres of habitat. A brief list of EMP successes is outlined below:

*Amazing restoration of habitat in Pools 5, 7, 8, 9, and 10 throught the implementation of better civil engineering practices that work with the natural forces of the river. These projects have created better fish habitat and better fishing. They have also improved waterfowl habitat and protected significant amounts of backwater habitat.
* Water quality in the Rock Island District has been dramatically improved and fisheries and vegetation have responded. EMP managers have worked to rehabilitate backwater habitat and have planted tracts of food producing hardwood trees.
* EMP managing agencies have received numerous awards for outstanding engineering.
* EMP has formed an exemplary partnership of Federal and State agencies and the public to produce scientifically and politically sound decisions.
* Long Term Resource Monitoring Program (LTRMP) has provided critical collection, analysis, research, and environmental modeling for river mangers. The LTRMP has effectively implemented and developed the Geographic Information System (GIS) technology needed to provide a knowledge base for cost-efficient habitat projects.

To read more about the impressive successes of the chronically underfunded EMP, Click Here.
To visit the EMP website, Click Here.

Stakeholders Support Full Funding for Environmental Management Program
Many Upper Mississippi Basin Stakeholders are joining in the call for full funding of the important monitoring and environmental restoration projects of the EMP. The EMP has been consistently underfunded with appropriations well below the level approved by the President's Budget. This year, the House has allocated only $16 million to fund these critical projects, well below the 1986 authorization of $20 million. Such a cut in funding would cripple the program and, likely, cause the cancellation of data collection which has continued uninterupted since the beginning of the program. The President's FY05 budget recommendation of $28 million would allow for the continuation of these critical monitoring programs as well as a beginning on the extensive habitat restoration recommended by the Corps of Engineers Navigation Feasibility Study. The fiscal year 2006 budget is currently being considered by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Letters supporting full funding of the EMP will play a critical role in determining the final appropriations for this important program. Stakeholder voices and comments will be added below as they are received.
Wisconsin Commercial Ports Association
MRCC Letter Supporting Full Funding for EMP
MRCC Letter Urging OMB to Provide Full Funding for EMP
Summary of Audubon Testimony for EMP Funding

Kind River Bill Ensures Funding Stream Won't Dry Up - Off-budget trust fund saves taxpayers; Preservation protects jobs that depend on River's health La Crosse, WI -U.S. Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI), founder and co-chair of the Upper Mississippi Task Force, today unveiled legislation to ensure the continued protection and preservation of the Mississippi River by establishing a reliable and self-sustaining funding stream for river restoration projects. "Running through the heart of America, the Mississippi River is an integral part of the history, economy, and culture of this country," said Kind. "In light of the recent 150th anniversary of the Grand Excursion celebrating the important role of the river in the development of middle-America, we should be doing everything we can to see to it that this national treasure is preserved for another 150 years and beyond." Kind's bill takes a fiscally responsible approach by creating an off-budget trust fund that would ultimately replace the yearly appropriations made to the Upper Mississippi River System Environmental Management Program (EMP), a program designed to evaluate, restore and enhance river and wetland habitats along a 1200-mile stretch of the Upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. The "Upper Mississippi River Trust Fund" would continue to receive funding until it reaches $2.5 billion, at which point, the trust would become self-sustaining on interest generated from the fund.
Full News Release 7/6/04
Feingold (D., WI) Supports Full Funding for EMP 9/1/04

Pick a little, talk a little (Cut to Chase for River's Sake)
By Paul Grawe Winona Daily News Community Columnist
Originally Published in the Winona Daily News, August 26th, 2004
Reproduced with permission from the author.

Since the early '90's, a fierce debate has been raging over the Upper Mississippi River (UMR). The towing industry wants modernization of a lock-and-dam system built 70 years ago. On the other side, environmental interests demand that the federal government put money into restoration of river environment. BOTH the industry and the environmentalists are right. It is time for Congress to stop picking, squabbling, and bickering and make a deal. Moreover, it is time for people in this beautiful valley who don't see themselves as either industry advocates or environmentalists to wake up to their own interests. These interests can be summarized as tourism, recreation, and quality of life. Click Here for the full article.
Also published as: Cut to Chase for River's Sake - Onalaska Community Life 9/3/04

COMMISSION SUPPORTS RIVER STUDY RECOMMENDATIONS 7/15/04
The Mississippi River Citizen Commission voted Wednesday to support the recommendations of the Corps of Engineers Upper Mississippi River Feasibility Study and called on Congress to fund environmental and navigation improvements of the Upper Mississippi River . “We are looking at a $7 billion per year recreation/tourism industry and a navigation system that supports 400,000 jobs in the Upper Midwest ,” said Bill Howe, Commission Chair. “It is a national imperative to take care of this river.”
The Commission also recommended that the public involvement mechanisms and the processes for project selection currently used by the Environmental Management Program and channel maintenance be carried forward into the new program. “If we want to improve project selection and evaluation from here, we ought to fully fund the LTRMP”, commented Commissioner Robin Grawe.
The Commission also called on Congress to fund the Environmental Management Program at the Presidential budget level of $28 million. The highly successful program has been forced to backlog numerous habitat rehabilitation projects and trim its research and monitoring component to the bone in order to work with skeleton budgets. “When shoestring budgets prohibit data collection, that information is lost forever,” noted Commissioner John Wetzel. “With invasive species fast-approaching the Upper Miss, this is no time to turn our backs on this great river.”
Link to Full Article

Corps of Engineers Releases Civil Works Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2004-2009.
Synopsis of release by Bob Flowers of COE: The Corps of Engineers has released a new Civil Works Strategic Plan - a roadmap for how we will manage our nation's water resources for the next five years. The plan is the result of much hard work and listening to many agencies, organizations and customers. The goals, objectives and metrics set forth in the plan will help us develop lasting solutions for our environmental and water resources challenges. We will emphasize increased collaboration as we develop integrated solutions through a watershed perspective. Experience has taught us that single projects with a limited focus may solve individual problems, but if we look at problems and solutions from a wider geographical view, we can better balance economic, environmental and quality of life objectives. It is important that you read the plan because you must help make it a reality. You can view it through the following link: Civil Works Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2004-2009

Restructured Upper Mississippi River-Illinois Waterway Navigation Feasibility Study Public Meeting: La Crosse, WI June 9th, 2004 By: David C. Wilson, UMBSN Staff 6/10/04
On the evening of June 9th, 2004 the US Army Corps of Engineers hosted the third in a series of public meetings to present recommendations from the latest version of their controversial twelve year navigation study. Approximately 100 concerned citizens representing themselves and a variety of farm, trade and environmental groups, navigation interests, lobbyist and resource management agencies were present. The current proposal by the COE is for a directive of dual management authority to pursue both structural navigation improvements and environmental remediation to protect the critical wetlands and habitat that attract not only wildlife, but billions of dollars in tourism and recreation revenue each year. The plan was presented by the COE as a compromise between navigation and environmental needs, and does promise both the navigation infrastructure improvements sought by agri-business, industry, and shipping interests and the investment in environmental restoration favored by conservation and resource management groups. While updated navigation infrastructure and environmental improvements may be compatible goals, the need for longer locks remains questionable with many indications that demand for river transport may actually decline from levels that have been stagnant for twenty years. Additionally, the risk posed by political maneuvering and the potential for appropriations committees to cut environmental funding after new locks have been installed should raise many red flags in the environmental community. A vigilant eye will need to be kept on those charged with administering the dual management mandate and ensuring that appropriate funding is procured. Click Here For Full Article and Review of Stakeholder Comments

UMBSN Position Statement for Restructured UMR-IWW Navigation Feasibility Study Report
Presented by Dick Hegle at the June 9th, 2004 COE Public Meeting in La Crosse, WI

The Upper Mississippi Basin Stakeholders Network represents all stakeholders within the basin who are concerned with clean water and a healthy environment. If water quality on the Mississippi River, and the health of the ecosystems that it sustains, are to be maintained, it is necessary that the environmental integrity of the river be restored. We believe that navigation and a healthy environment can coexist. However, we are concerned that appropriations for environmental restoration may never materialize once the new locks are funded and installed. It would be a travesty if this fate befell the ecosystem of the Upper Mississippi. The loss of wildlife and associated economic activity would be tragic. As users and stewards of the Upper Mississippi, we are beholden to protect the watersheds and ecosystems that provide us with clean water and a healthy environment. The Upper Mississippi River ecosystem is a major component of the broader system that links the woods and wetlands and the fields and streams of this region in a dynamic web that provides critical resources for people, wildlife, and navigation alike. We would insist that new funding for environmental protection and restoration on the Upper Mississippi River be directly linked to expenditures on navigation improvement. The dual management mandate proposed by the US Army Corps of Engineers looks like a good plan. We hope that it is implemented as envisioned here today. Click Here For Full Statement

River management at critical point
By John Campe, Dakota, MN, and Robin Grawe, Winona, MN

The U.S. Senate will consider legislation this spring including recommendations from the long-awaited Restructured Upper Mississippi River-Illinois Waterway Navigation Feasibility Study. It is critical that Congress follow the recommendation of the study and address both navigation and environmental needs on the Upper Mississippi. The 70-year-old navigation system causes delays at the locks above St. Louis, economically challenging the Upper Midwest and the entire nation. Meanwhile, ecosystem deterioration threatens 718 species dependent on the river as well as the $7 billion tourism/recreation industry. The Corps of Engineers needs dual authority to manage the river for both navigation and the environment. Currently, agencies and the public are repeatedly frustrated that projects are delayed or not done at all because parts of the project fall outside existing authorities or funding sources. Management of this great multi-purpose resource is a matter of public trust. The Upper Mississippi competes with many other projects for funds. It is important that our elected officials hear that there is broad-based citizen support for this river to be managed responsibly for recreation, environment, and navigation. Letters from citizens make a difference. If you value the Upper Mississippi, write your U.S. senators to urge them to take care of it, all of it.
Click Here for Full Article from Winona Daily News 5/10/04 (Starts Halfway down page.)

Mississippi River/Illinois Waterway Lock Construction to Proceed
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans to go ahead with a $2.3 billion expansion of locks on the upper Mississippi and Illinois rivers, the corps commander disclosed Monday in an Associated Press interview. The project was put on hold in 2000, when a whistle-blower accused the agency of cooking up a case for modernizing and replacing the locks. These allegations were later confirmed by the Army's inspector general. The National Academy of Sciences recently said that since grain exports have been flat for more than 20 years and the corps lacks credible forecasts for traffic and grain demand, it made more sense to try new tolls and other management tools before proceeding with costly construction. However, the COE continues to cite congestion at the locks as justification for going ahead with the project, stating that a catastrophic breakdown is a possibility in the current system. Although the corps plans to spend $5.3 billion on habitat and the environment, watchdog and environmental groups that oppose the project argue that barge traffic will probably never grow enough to outweigh the project's cost.
Full Article: AP: River Lock Construction to Proceed By LIBBY QUAID The Associated Press 4/20/02

Responses:
Twice-Cooked Pork: The Upper Mississippi River-Illinois Waterway Navigation Study Edited By Scott Faber, Environmental Defense
Editorial: Mississippi River/Locks project is a bad idea Star Tribune 4/21/04
IWLA FAULTS MULTI-BILLION MISSISSIPPI RIVER BOONDOGGLE: CORPS OF ENGINNERS LOCKS PLAN SHORTSIGHTED Izaak Walton League of America 4/20/04
Review of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Upper Mississippi-Illinois Waterway Restructured Feasibility Study: Interim Report NRC 12/5/03.
Corps of Engineers news release on the NRC report.